The First IEEE IES Brazilian Members Workshop was held in 2025
Our Brazilian Activities committee, led by Prof. Leandro Buss Becker, successfully organized the 1st IEEE IES Brazilian Members workshop, held on 27–28 July 2025, at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Belo Horizonte. Since January 2025, IES supports Brazil’s involvement in our community with the creation of 2 hubs and 7 nodes.
A Workshop to Grow IES Community in Brazil
This is a significant milestone in the effort to strengthen ties between academia, industry, and the scientific community in Brazil supported by the IEEE IES. The workshop was conceived to provide a collaborative forum where academic researchers, industry professionals, and IES leadership could dialogue and collectively define the directions for IES growth in the coming years in Brazil.
With The Support and Presence of IES Leadership
The IES delegation was formed by Professor Milos Manic (Virginia Commonwealth University, USA – IEEE IES President), Professor Luis Gomes (UNINOVA-CTS, Portugal – IES Vice President for Conference Activities), Stamatis Karnouskos (SAP, Germany – IES Vice President for Industrial Activities), and Professor Leandro Buss Becker (UFSC, Brazil – Chair of the Brazilian IES Committee). Professor Becker was also the Workshop general chair, and the local chairs were Professor Danilo Iglesias Brandão and Guilherme Raffo, from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Besides the committee members, the workshop received 75 other participants from Brazilian universities (faculty members and students) and 5 representatives of Brazilian industries and confederations.
A Two-Days Program to Encourage Genuine Connections
The first day of the event, Sunday 27 July, began with a breakfast at the Allia Hotel, setting a welcoming tone and allowing for initial informal interactions among attendees. The day’s main activity was a group visit to the Inhotim Institute in Brumadinho — a renowned contemporary art centre and botanical garden. Far beyond a cultural outing, this experience was carefully curated to inspire participants and encourage meaningful exchanges in a setting that reflects creativity, interdisciplinary thinking, and societal impact — values closely aligned with the mission of IES. The presence of international IES representatives in this relaxed context helped foster genuine connections and mutual understanding, laying the groundwork for the more technical discussions. That evening, a cocktail reception brought participants together in a convivial atmosphere, reinforcing the sense of community and openness that would permeate the event.
Strengthening Ties Between Academia, Industry, and the Scientific Community in Brazil
On Monday 28 July, the workshop shifted to a more formal tone, with the technical sessions taking place at the School of Engineering at UFMG. The morning began with opening remarks by UFMG officials, highlighting the university’s commitment to research, innovation, and international cooperation. This was followed by a key session dedicated to presentations by IES leadership, featuring Milos Manic, Luis Gomes, Stamatis Karnouskos and Leandro Buss Becker. Their presentations emphasised the global reach and mission of the IES, its commitment to fostering collaboration, and its growing presence in Brazil. The speakers shared strategic insights into the Society’s vision.
A Focus on Local Industry
Following a coffee break, the focus turned to industry. Representatives from Embraer, Instituto Vale de Tecnologia, and Synkar delivered briefings on using artificial intelligence in engineering applications. These talks provided concrete examples of how advanced technologies are being adopted in Brazil. They illustrated the urgent need for engineers well-versed in theoretical foundations and practical applications. The exchanges between industry professionals and IES members underscored the Society’s unique role in bridging academia and the private sector, supporting innovation, and enabling the co-creation of new knowledge.
Breakout Discussion Groups and Panel Sessions
In the afternoon, after a shared lunch on campus, participants engaged in breakout discussion groups organised around three core themes central to the future of IES in Brazil. The first group focused on strategies to expand IES membership, particularly by encouraging the formation and strengthening of student chapters across Brazilian universities. The discussions were led by undergraduate and graduate students already involved in local IEEE activities, who shared best practices and identified structural and motivational barriers to sustained engagement. The second group explored the design of the scientific events, emphasising evaluating and enhancing the long-term impact of existing initiatives. A particular focus was given to the Brazilian Symposium on Computing Systems Engineering (SBESC), considered the field’s main national event. Participants reflected on SBESC’s role as a platform for community consolidation and proposed ways to increase its reach and visibility. The third group focused on Brazilian industry engagement and collaboration opportunities among industry and academia. Focus was given to insights from industry, e.g., Embraer, as well as Brazilian industry association, as well as lessons learned from existing academic-industry collaborations and existing frameworks in Brazil.
The day continued with a panel session on engineering education, featuring three brief talks followed by an open debate. Topics included curriculum reform, interdisciplinary training, and new pedagogical approaches to prepare engineers for emerging technological challenges. The day concluded with a short closing ceremony and a formal workshop dinner, providing a final networking opportunity and camaraderie.
Pathways for Future Initiatives
The workshop was widely regarded as a success, not only for the richness of its content, but also for the atmosphere of mutual respect and shared purpose it cultivated. By bringing together key figures from the global IES leadership, leading industrial actors, and an engaged Brazilian academic community, the 1st IEEE IES Brazilian Members WORKSHOP affirmed the Society’s strategic commitment to Brazil. It opened pathways for future collaborations, inspired new initiatives, and reinforced the value of personal, face-to-face dialogue in building a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking engineering ecosystem.