Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators: Highlights from the IEEE IES SYP Congress 2025
By Ala Chalghaf (General Chair – IES SYP Congress 2025), Aziz Ben Kbaier – (General Chair – IES SYP Congress 2025) and Oumayma Masmoudi (General Secretary – IES SYP Congress 2025)
The IEEE Industrial Electronics Society Students and Young Professionals (IES SYP) Congress 2025 was held from August 14–17, 2025, at the Regency Gammarth Hotel in Tunis, Tunisia. Organized by the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES) in collaboration with the IEEE Tunisia Section and the IEEE IES Tunisia Chapter, the congress gathered over 230 participants from more than 40 countries and 6 IEEE Regions, representing over 120 organizational units. It stood out as one of the most influential gatherings for students and young professionals in industrial electronics, fostering knowledge exchange, innovation, and global collaboration.
A Congress Bridging Heritage and Innovation
“Ancient Foundations, Future Innovations” links Tunisia’s historic role as a crossroads of knowledge with the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society’s long-standing legacy in technology. Both Tunisia and IES stand at the forefront of what’s next, bridging tradition and progress to drive advances in industrial electronics, robotics, and energy. The congress was more than an event—it was a global platform where students, young professionals, academics, and industry leaders celebrated heritage and collaborated to build tomorrow’s innovations on these shared foundations.
Goals and Global Reach
The IES SYP Congress 2025 successfully achieved its core objectives: strengthening the global IES community, promoting technical excellence, encouraging collaboration between academia and industry, and inspiring active engagement among IEEE members. Participants benefited from mentorship, skill-building, and networking opportunities that opened doors to future internships, collaborations, and careers in industrial electronics and automation.
Participants and Distinguished Guests
Among the 239 total attendees were 167 delegates, 37 speakers and guests, and 35 organizing committee members. The congress featured key IEEE and IES leaders, including IES President Prof. Milos Manic, VP for Membership Prof. Ya-Jun Pan, IEEE Region 8 Director Prof. Dušanka Bošković, and IEEE Students Chair Dr. Subodha Charles. Academic representatives from institutions such as Virginia Commonwealth University, Dalhousie University, University of Sarajevo, University of Moratuwa, and top Tunisian universities (ENIT, ENET’Com, ESPRIT) enriched the discussions between academia and industry.
Organizers, Partners, collaborators and sponsors
Core Organizers: The congress was powered by the joint efforts of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, IEEE Tunisia Section, IEEE IES Tunisia Chapter, the University of Sfax, and the Faculty of Sciences of Sfax. The leadership and commitment of General Chairs of IES SYP Congress 2025, Ala Chalghaf and Aziz Ben Kbaier laid the foundation for a successful event, ensuring high academic and professional standards.
IEEE Partners: The support of IEEE Students, the IEEE Humanitarian Technology Board (HTB), and IEEE Young Professionals emphasized the global dimension of the congress and highlighted the importance of empowering the next generation of engineers and innovators within the IEEE family.
Collaborators (Local IEEE SBs & Chapters): A wide network of local IEEE entities actively contributed to the congress, including SIGHT Tunisia, IEEE ESPRIT SB, IEEE ENET’COM SB, IEEE ESSTHS SB, IEEE ENIT SB, IEEE ISIMS SB, as well as joint chapters such as IEEE ESPRIT IAS-IES-PES SB Joint Chapter, IEEE ESSTHS IAS-IES-PES SB Joint Chapter, IEEE ENET’COM IES SB Chapter, and IEEE ISIMS IES-PES SB Joint Chapter. This strong local collaboration showcased the vitality and engagement of IEEE student branches and chapters in Tunisia.
Partners: Partnerships with Sarra of Congress and Events and Eventizer provided professional organizational and event management support, enhancing the overall congress experience.
Logistics Partners: Institutions such as ESPRINT and Crocodile contributed as logistics partners, ensuring smooth coordination and delivery of congress operations.
Sponsors: The event received strong backing from distinguished sponsors, including: ESPRIT, ActinCube by Actia, Orange Digital Center, STB, Agroliva, and Université Centrale.
These collaborations not only bolstered the event’s credibility and reach, but also reinforced its role as a platform that bridges academia, industry, and the global IEEE community.
IES Travel Grants
For the IEEE IES SYP Congress 2025, we are pleased to report that we have received a total of 371 travel grant applications, representing 31 countries of residence, 27 nationalities, 6 Regions, 50 IEEE Sections, and 131 Organizational Units (OUs).
Applications came predominantly from IEEE Region 8 (258 applicants – 69.5%) and IEEE Region 10 (101 applicants – 27.2%), with smaller numbers from Regions 9, 7, 3, and 5. In terms of membership grades, the majority of applicants were 254 Student Members (68.5%), followed by 62 Graduate Student Members (16.7%), 28 Senior Members (7.6%), and 26 Members (7.0%).
Following the evaluation based on a predefined scoring system focused primarily on volunteering contributions within IES among other factors, a total of 178 applicants were selected for travel grant support.
These accepted applicants represented 29 countries of residence, 22 nationalities, 5 Regions, 42 IEEE Sections, and 115 OUs. Regionally, the selected group consisted of 128 participants from Region 8 (71.9%), 42 from Region 10 (23.6%), and a smaller representation from Regions 9, 7, and 3. Regarding membership categories, the accepted cohort included 109 Student Members (61.2%), 32 Graduate Student Members (18.0%), 19 Senior Members (10.7%), and 17 Members (9.6%).
This remarkable outcome highlights the global reach and engagement of the IES community, with broad representation across IEEE Regions, Sections, and membership grades. Most importantly, it was made possible thanks to the substantial investment of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, which dedicated 200,000 USD in travel grants and into the IES SYP congress to empower students and young professionals worldwide. This commitment reflects the Society’s vision of supporting future leaders and fostering inclusive participation in industrial electronics.
Program Highlights
The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from IEEE and IES leaders and partners, emphasizing collaboration, youth empowerment, and innovation. The panel discussion “From First Steps to Lifelong Impact: Journeys in IEEE” inspired participants through personal stories of leadership and professional growth within IEEE.
A series of technical and professional workshops covered topics such as cybersecurity in IoT, intellectual property in research, ethical AI, and effective student branch management. The session “Introduction to IES: Vision, Impact, and Opportunities” presented the society’s structure, activities, and member benefits through short talks by IES leaders.
The poster session showcased the achievements of IES student branches and chapters worldwide, promoting visibility, collaboration, and recognition.
The Multicultural Night, one of the most memorable moments of the congress, celebrated the cultural diversity of the IEEE community. Participants proudly presented their national attire, cuisine, and traditions, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere that symbolized unity through diversity.
Industrial Visits and Technical Sessions
Participants visited major Tunisian companies and research centers such as Bako Motors, STEG, New Ways Holding, and Figeac Aero, gaining first-hand exposure to industrial innovation.
Keynotes and panels explored cutting-edge topics, including Prof. Kamal Al-Haddad’s talk on Sustainable Power Electronics, emphasizing environmentally responsible design.
Round tables encouraged small-group discussions on technical and non-technical themes—from AI in agriculture to leadership development—allowing participants to share experiences and present their findings on stage.
Awards, Closing, and Legacy
The Gala Dinner hosted the closing ceremony, announcing Brazil as the next host of the IES SYP Congress 2026. Awards included:
- Best Poster: IES Student Branch Chapter – ESPRIT (Tunisia, Region 8)
- People’s Choice Poster: IEEE SIT Hyderabad SB (India, Region 10)
- Best Multicultural Booth: Kenya delegation
The evening combined celebration, music, and reflection, concluding a congress that left a lasting mark on all attendees. The following day’s cultural tour to Sidi Bou Said and the Bardo Museum offered a relaxed and inspiring end to the event.
The IEEE IES SYP Congress 2025 set a new benchmark for excellence in student and young professional events within IEEE. Its balanced mix of technical sessions, professional development, and cultural exchange empowered participants with new skills, broader networks, and lasting motivation.
More than an event, it became a milestone in the history of the Industrial Electronics Society—celebrating innovation, collaboration, and the global spirit of the next generation of engineers.
