The OnCampus program, managed by IEEE Educational Activities, last year expanded its engineering experience from two universities to seven.
Part of TryEngineering, the program is run at universities around the world, providing university students with practical opportunities to solve engineering problems.
The IEEE Innovation Committee provided funding for additional sites.
New participating institutions
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, hosted a two-day program in June. Twenty-five children between the ages of 10 and 14 participated in lectures and workshops on artificial intelligence, computer science, robotics, and astronomy. Tomislav Jagušt, IEEE senior member and chairman of the IEEE preuniversity coordination committee, led the program.
In September, the engineering college of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport held a two-day session at its campus in Abu Kir, Egypt. 50 students participated in hands-on activities in Ohm’s law, radio communications, and district building. They also learned from professors about engineering careers and career opportunities.
Also in September, Majan University College, Muscat, Oman, hosted 40 high school students who competed in six challenges to design and build circuits. This includes IoT design and LED lighting control using a potentiometer, a three-terminal, manually adjustable resistor that acts as a variable voltage divider.
The program also highlighted AI and quantum computing technologies and introduced students to career opportunities in the fields.
The workshop turned curiosity into creation, empowering students with technical skills and emerging technology confidence.
In November at Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Arau, 50 students explored the basics of quantum computational intelligence and AI through hands-on activities and interactive simulations. IEEE Senior Member Mohd Hafiz Ismail, professor of electronic engineering and technology, gave an introduction about the technology of quantum computing intelligence.
The Hellenic Robotics Center of Excellence at the National Technical University of Athens hosted a two-day session in December. Twenty-five students explored robotics and AI through hands-on design challenges such as TryEngineering’s AI and machine learning methods. They also visited the research centers of this university.
Universities in Hong Kong and Greece are also participating
City University and St. Francis University in Hong Kong, and the University of Ioannina, Arta campus, Greece, joined the program for the second year.
Under the leadership of IEEE Senior Member Paulina Chan and volunteers from the IEEE Hong Kong Section, the City and the universities of St. Francis co-hosted the program in July. They welcomed 55 students aged 12 to 18 from 41 schools.
Students attended courses on the basic concepts and theories of AI. They worked in small groups on projects using AI-generated images, voice, and music. They were trained by the students of St. Francis and Imperial College London. Participants present their projects to judges, teachers and parents.
The students also visited a nearby semiconductor manufacturer to learn about technical jobs from the engineers who work there.
Post-program survey results showed strong satisfaction with OnCampus, with nearly 75 percent of participants giving it a rating of 4 or higher out of 5.
“I enjoyed knowing about your deep learning and application,” said one student. “The content of the job matches my interest, and I gained new knowledge.”
“OnCampus is led by a strong team with many experts in the field,” said another. “It’s a rare opportunity for students to use the software, learn about the theory of how deep learning works, and look for future opportunities.”
The University of Ioannina hosted the program at Arta in July with the support of IEEE Senior Member Stamatis Dragoumanos and IEEE members Nikos Giannakeas and Eleftheria Kallinikou. About 50 students, aged 12 to 16, attended the seven-day event, supported by 17 teachers and six volunteers from the university’s IEEE student branch.
Students learned about AI, augmented reality, microchip design, microcontrollers, and 3D printing. They also attended presentations by engineers in the industry. To give students exposure to real-world engineering, they visited two hydroelectric plants and a green data center.
At the end of the program, students present their projects and demonstrate the technical skills they have developed.
Those involved in the TryEngineering OnCampus program are proud of the impactful knowledge gained by students. Opportunities are possible because universities are opening their doors, sharing their expertise, and investing in the next generation of innovators.
University of Zagreb, Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, Majan University College, and City University and St. Francis University will participate again this year.
To learn how to bring the OnCampus program to your institution, send a request to tryengineering@ieee.org.
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