Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT)

Welcome to the esteemed IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (MTT-S) Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT) platform, part of MTT-S BPC (Broadening Participation Committee). Within the IEEE MTT-S SIGHT initiative, we acknowledge the transformative potential of technology transcending conventional boundaries. As conscientious stewards of global progress, we pledge to harness our proficiency in microwave and wireless technology to confront urgent humanitarian dilemmas.

Our mission is to inspire and mobilize students, young engineers, and professionals to apply innovative solutions to various crises using Microwave and Antenna technology and implementing it in fields of education using smart classrooms, and solar energy and to conduct humanitarian workshops. We focus on instilling the idea of humanity and promoting diversity in the minds of young engineers.

For inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or further information about our initiatives, please feel free to contact any member of our team listed below:

Stay connected with IEEE MTT-S SIGHT and learn about upcoming projects, workshops, publications, funding opportunities, and community impact stories:

The IEEE MTT-S Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology (SIGHT), under the Broadening Participation Committee (BPC), is pleased to invite project proposals for the year 2026. We welcome innovative proposals focused on societal impact, STEM outreach, and humanitarian technology, particularly those aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Selected projects will be supported through the following grant categories:

• Micro Grants: up to $500
• Small Grants: up to $1000
• Regular Grants: up to $2000

SIGHT Project Proposal Submission Form:
https://forms.gle/tw3cvxsJ8XTGKopa7
Conference and Workshop Support
https://form.jotform.com/243095669960167

Over the past two years, IEEE MTT-S SIGHT has significantly expanded its humanitarian impact through projects focused on education, healthcare, renewable energy, and community development:

1. MTT-S SIGHT DROne-MED – DROne-MED (Delivery of Remote and ONsitE

Medical Essentials via Drone) is a project made by students of IIST, Thiruvananthapuram, India which can deliver medicines to area that are beyond Visual Line of sight. Projects such as these are really helpful where humans and other land vehicles cannot reach, thus providing timely help to people in need.

BVLOS Urban Test – Beyond-Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) test was conducted as the first step of the DROne-MED program over LTE/4G to demonstrate Urban logistics

• Location: IIST Open Amphitheatre to Magudagiri, IIST
• Distance: 740.07 m
• Elevation: 130.05 m
• Network: LTE/4G Spectrum
• Payload: 1.25 kg

2. MTT-S SIGHT EduGest – Wireless Hand Gesture Recognition (HGR) for Smart Classroom 

MTT-S SIGHT EduGest is a humanitarian education initiative developed by the IEEE Indonesia Section to enhance interactive learning in Katapang Elementary School, Bandung District, Indonesia. The project integrates wireless hand gesture recognition and computer vision technology to enable students to interact with digital learning materials and participate in real-time assessments without the need for additional input devices. By improving student engagement, digital literacy, and classroom inclusivity, EduGest demonstrates how low-cost wireless technologies can transform education in underserved communities.

3. MTT-S SIGHT From Candles to Clean Energy

Solar Home Solutions for Education, Safety, and Well-Being is a humanitarian initiative by the IEEE MTT-S Student Branch
Chapter, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria, aimed at improving education and well-being in rural communities through sustainable solar energy solutions. The project provided solar home lighting systems, study tables, and chairs to 10 households, replacing hazardous candles and kerosene lamps with clean, reliable lighting. This initiative enables students to study safely at night, enhances educational opportunities, reduces health and environmental risks, and promotes equality and quality learning.

• Smart Classroom Initiative – Alokedhara Sikshayatan, West Bengal, India
• Community Healthcare Initiative – Alokedhara Sikshayatan West Bengal, India
• Solar Home Solutions for Education – Nigeria
• Wireless Hand Gesture Recognition Smart Classroom – Indonesia
• From Candles to Clean Energy: Solar Home Solutions for Education, Safety, and Well-Being.” IEEE Enugu State Univ. Of Science & Technology MTT-S SBC, Nigeria
• Phygital Learning Ecosystem Nedumangad Municipality Buds School, Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

In 2024, the IEEE MTT-S SIGHT Project Grants were awarded globally to support the implementation of humanitarian initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of underserved communities. The following projects were selected for funding:

• Building amateur radio of Canada headquater station, Ottawa, Canada
• MediCase technology: Smart medicine box to increase knowledge of multi-drug resistance in Cipaku area, Bandung, West Java
• Solar solutions challenge in Kanpur, India to promote sustainable energy solutions through young student-driven initiative
• SheLearns: Smart classrooms in Sonamukhi Kusum Kumari Devi Balika Vidyalaya, West Bengal
• Establishment of smart classroom for Priyadarshini School, Maharashtra, India
• Development of comprehensive science laboratories in Chowbaga High School, West Bengal, India
• Introduction to electrical engineering for low-income students in elementary schools in Brazil
• Establishment of a lab for an orphans’ school in Pakistan
• Project Vidya Shakti: Solar energizing rural education at Vidya: The Living School in Dhemaji, Assam, India
• Exploring wireless communication and RF technologies with Arduino and ham radio for school students
• SANKALP: (Scientific Aid for Nurturing Knowledge and Learning Progress) for students in Government Higher Secondary School, Ayirooppara, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
• Enhancing STEM education through interactive learning kits for local schools near the University of Wisconsin La Crosse
• Portable satellite communications kit for rapid (disaster relief) deployment at Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) homestead residents on Molokai Island, Hawaii, USA
• Workshop for promoting microwave technology and equality: 3-day hands-on workshop on microwave PCB fabrication and measurement for rural/remote colleges and MTT-S chapters in Kerala

• Nabagram Hiralal Paul Balika Vidyalaya, Nabagram, Konnagar, West Bengal
• Domohani Kelejora High School (H.S), Domohani Bazar, Asansol, West Bengal
• Konnagar Hindu Girls High School (East), Konnagar, West Bengal
• Government Higher Secondary School Valat, Wayanad, Kerala
• Government Lower Primary School Kappil East, Krishnapuram PO, Kayamkulam, Kerala
• Tarapur Anchalik Vivekananda High School, Ranaghat, Nadia West Bengal
• Ramakrishna Mission Calcutta Students’ Home, Belgharia, Kolkata, West Bengal

• Al-Ijaz Education System High School, Kallar Kahar, Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan
• Student Welfare Society School, Kallar Kahar, Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan

Our ongoing endeavors center on orchestrating workshops tailored to empowering individuals in marginalized communities. These workshops are meticulously designed to
impart essential skills and knowledge, fostering personal and professional growth among participants. Some of the most impactful workshops conducted include:

• MIKON–MRW 2026 SIGHT Workshop, Kraków, Poland
• IEEE IES East Africa Industrial Innovation Summit 2026
• MAPCON 2025 SIGHT Workshop, Kochi, Kerala, India
• SIGHT Workshop at IMAS (2023) on Microwave for Humanity (M4HW) in GUC, Egypt, Cairo
• Youth on the Air Camp (YOTA) Carleton U. Ottawa, Canada
• Global Humanitarian Technology Conference 2023 by Villanova University, Pennsylvania
• SIGHT Session during the IEEE Latin American Electron Devices Conference (LAEDC-2023) in Puebla, Mexico
• STEM Workshop in Islamabad
• MTT-S and AP-S SIGHT Workshop in MAPCON 2023 in Ahmedabad, India

Visit our album to view photos from all MTT-S SIGHT Events!