IEEE New South Wales SIGHT Launch event

#SIGHT #humanitarian-technology #sustainable-development #humanitarian-engineering #EWB #Tech4Good
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Join us for the official launch of the IEEE NSW Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT).

SIGHT is a global network of volunteers who partner with underserved communities and local organisations to leverage technology for sustainable development. Membership is open to everyone — IEEE membership is not required — and this launch is about bringing NSW's humanitarian engineering community together, including partners like Engineers Without Borders.

Hosted by the EWB student chapter at UNSW, the evening features an introduction to IEEE Humanitarian Technologies and SIGHT, short impact presentations from people applying technology for good, a speaker Q&A, and an open discussion to shape our first projects and events — followed by time to network over refreshments.

Whether you're an engineer, student, researcher, or work in the community sector, come along to meet like-minded people and help launch humanitarian technology in NSW. Free to attend, in person at UNSW and online via livestream.


  Date and Time

  Location

  Hosts

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  • University of New South Wales
  • Anzac Parade, Kensington
  • Sydney, New South Wales
  • Australia 2033
  • Building: Electrical Engineering Building K-G17
  • Room Number: G10
  • Click here for Map
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  • Starts 26 August 2026 02:00 PM UTC
  • Ends 29 September 2026 02:00 PM UTC
  • No Admission Charge

  Speakers

Anwaar Ulhaq of Central Queensland University

Topic:

AI for social impact

Biography:

Dr Anwaar Ulhaq is President of the Australian Pattern Recognition Society 9APRS) and Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Image Processing. He is also a Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at CQUniversity, Sydney.
 
His work focuses on AI for social and environmental impact, with projects spanning plastic pollution and recycling, digital health, mental health, sustainable communities, First Nations engagement, and sports analytics. He has led and contributed to externally funded projects with CSIRO, Cricket Australia, government, industry, and international partners, including community-focused initiatives in Mapoon and Indonesia.
 
His work has been recognised through awards including Researcher of the Year, Teaching Excellence, Microsoft Technology Innovation, and multiple Best Paper Awards. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and the Springer Nature monograph The Neural Evolution of AI. His broader work combines research leadership, technology translation, community engagement, and responsible AI to address real-world challenges with measurable benefit.

Amira Ouerfelli of Humanitarian Technologies Board (SIGHT Chair)

Topic:

Introduction to IEEE Humanitarian Technologies & SIGHT (joining remotely)

Biography:

Amira Ouerfelli is an Electrical Engineer specializing in robotics, embedded systems, and artificial intelligence. She holds a Master’s degree in Information System Technologies from the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT) and is passionate about leveraging technology to create sustainable solutions and humanitarian impact.

She was recognized with the Best Performance Sustainable Project Award at IEEE PowerAfrica 2024. Under her leadership, the IEEE SIGHT Tunisia Section received the IEEE Region 8 Outstanding SIGHT Section Award in 2025.

Amira currently serves in several IEEE leadership roles, including MGA Representative on the Humanitarian Technologies Board (HTB), HTB SIGHT Global Chair, IEEE SIGHT Tunisia Section Chair, Humanitarian Technologies Coordinator for the IEEE Tunisia Section, IEEE Smart Village Volunteer since 2021, IEEE IAS Women in Engineering Region 8 Representative, and a graduate of the IEEE Volunteer Leadership Training (VoLT) Program.

Beyond IEEE, Amira serves as Chair of the Disaster Response Team at the National Tunisian Red Crescent, a role she has held since 2020. Through this work, she focuses on disaster risk reduction, humanitarian response, and strengthening community resilience through sustainable and impactful initiatives.


Topic:

Engineers Without Borders Australia - UNSW Chapter




Agenda

Welcome / Acknowledgement of Country

Introduction to IEEE Humanitarian Technologies and SIGHT

Impact presentations

Speaker Q&A

Next steps / project and event ideas

Group photo