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In this issue...
Note from the Chair
Exciting changes are coming soon to SIGHT. Last month, the Steering Committee held productive meetings in Antigua, Guatemala. We are reforming SIGHTs to make them more effective. Part of that work will include a new course called "Introduction to Engineering for Global Development," which we are developing now with Engineering for Change.
 
Here's a brief list of requirements that SIGHTs should meet starting in 2016:
 
1. Education (Intro to EGD)
2. Projects
3. Self assessments
4. Capacity building
 
We are working on a tool kit to clarify what each of these are.
 
One order of business: The deadline for applications to the 2016 SIGHT Steering Committee is November 30. Please use the forms that we sent or find one at this link: Application form

And another announcement:

SIGHT will have a newly designed website. We are working with Catapult Design to build a micro-site that clarifies SIGHT operations and guidelines. In 2016 you will see a whole array of new resources for SIGHT. It's been a lot of work, and soon we'll start seeing the impact. As usual, thank you for your service and let's carry on!
 
Read on for highlights from your fellow SIGHT groups around the world. And, as always, thank you for everything that you do!

Kartik Kulkarni, Chair, IEEE SIGHT Steering Committee
Gallery: Looking back at SIGHT 2015
The Nicaragua SIGHT visited a rural community in Jinotega to repair and fix their wind turbine.
Connect With Us
SIGHT at IMaRC Dec 10 - 12
Stefan Unterstrasser, blind by birth at HAM Radio Call Sign DK1MSU works on HAM radio in an MTT-S event in October.

The Microwave Theory and Techniques Society's SIGHT plans four events at the International Microwave and RF Conference (IMaRC) in Hyderabad, India, December 10 - 12.
  
1. Amateur radio session
How to communicate when the world goes silent? If the power grid goes down in the midst of a disaster, how would we communicate? A panel discussion will examine how emergency communication systems can mitigate the effects of disaster and improve lives worldwide.   
 
A demo session will reveal the basics of amateur radio operation and provide guidance to those interested in obtaining a HAM Radio license.

An expert panel will examine innovation in HAM technology that meets humanitarian needs, challenges that microwave engineers face in disaster preparedness and the role of low-cost microwave and wireless technology in global development.
Newly funded SIGHT projects
Bombay SIGHT trains rural women in technical skills.

IEEE Bombay SIGHT
Bombay SIGHT's Project Vidushi teaches technical skills to rural women. In the first phase, SIGHT volunteers held a three-day training workshop in July for 35 women from 14 villages in Pune, Maharashtra. Topics included plumbing, electricity, pest control and solar energy. Now the SIGHT is funded to hold a 100-hour course in computer basics for rural women. Many of the students have never seen a computer before, so the first lesson is "what is a computer?" The course will progress through lessons in basic DOS, word processing, the Internet, email, databases and more.

IEEE Uganda SIGHT
The Uganda SIGHT has been funded to host workshops that raise awareness about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math in the pursuit of humanitarian engineering. The group plans to train 130 people. Courses are intended to fill gaps in the nation's technical training, get young people excited about STEM subjects and turn people into job creators.
 
IEEE Colombia SIGHT
The Colombia SIGHT has been funded to develop workshops for 90 school children in Cazuca, a community near the country's capital, Bogota. The workshops will enhance their regular education with subjects such as environmental conservation, robotics and engineering and leadership.
 
IEEE Delhi SIGHT
The Delhi SIGHT plans to help slum residents reduce their electricity bills by switching their light bulbs. The group will employ 300 women who are Tata Delhi Distribution Brand Ambassadors to inform residents that LED bulbs can save them money through lower electricity consumption and a longer lifespan of the bulb.
Gallery (continued): Looking back at SIGHT 2015
SIGHT volunteers from Diego Portales University in Chile led workshops in rural communities that included making homemade flashlights, solar toy cars, generating electricity with lemons and Lego MindStorm robotics kits.
   
The Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso SIGHT in Chile held an electronic circuits workshop for Hernan Olguin School and the Jeanne D'arc School in September. 
Deadlines for SIGHT Newsletter Submissions
Share news about your events, innovations and successes with the worldwide SIGHT community. Submit announcements or story ideas by the first of each month for a chance to see it in the next month's edition.

Submission guidelines:
  • 150 words or less
  • Include photos! (with captions)
  • Include Web links! (Interested people will want more information)
Please send correspondence to Rob Goodier at r.goodier@ieee.org. Thank you!