EPICS in IEEE Awards Honor Student and Faculty Leaders Driving Global Engineering Impact

The IEEE Educational Activities program has announced the recipients of the Excellent EPICS in IEEE Contributor Awards, recognizing students and faculty whose projects address pressing global challenges through engineering innovation. The 2024 honorees include Surattana Kakay, Navid Shaghaghi, and Elizabeth Vidal-Duarte, whose work spans agriculture, healthcare, and sustainable technology, according to IEEE officials.

How Surattana Kakay Transformed Rice Farming in Thailand

Surattana Kakay, a computer engineering student at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), received the Team Leader Award for developing an IoT-based water management system for rice farmers. Her project, the Automatic Water Level Control System, reduces water use by 63% and methane emissions by 7% annually through remote monitoring via smartphones, according to a 2024 IEEE report.

Kakay’s team collaborated with the Pathum Thani Rice Research Center to design a low-cost solution using laser sensors and community Wi-Fi networks. “This project transformed me from a student into a leader,” Kakay said. “It shows gender is no barrier to technical excellence.” Her work has been featured in IEEE’s Sustainable Systems journal, highlighting its potential for global scalability.

Navid Shaghaghi’s Frugal Innovation for California Agriculture

Navid Shaghaghi, a lecturer at Santa Clara University, won the Faculty Advisor Award for his role in the Hydration Automation (HA) project. Since 2019, his team has developed an irrigation system that uses soil sensors and ultrasonic tank monitoring to cut water waste. Over 30 students have gained hands-on experience through the initiative, which supports small ranches in drought-prone regions.

Shaghaghi’s approach emphasizes “frugal innovation,” creating affordable, durable solutions. His graduate students recently placed third in the IEEE Rising Stars Project Showcase. “The goal is to make technology accessible to underserved communities,” he said. The HA project has also inspired the HiveSpy initiative, which uses IoT to monitor beekeeping operations.

Elizabeth Vidal-Duarte’s Assistive Technologies for Peruvian Communities

Elizabeth Vidal-Duarte, a research professor at San Agustin National University Arequipa, was recognized for her mentorship in developing assistive technologies. Her students created a soft robotic glove for physiotherapy clinics and an emotion-recognition system for visually impaired individuals. The latter project will be presented at the IEEE International Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems in June 2024.

Vidal-Duarte emphasizes “human-centered design,” visiting clinics to ensure technologies meet real-world needs. “Engineering is not just about solving problems—it’s about understanding people,” she said. Her work has strengthened partnerships between the university and local rehabilitation centers, benefiting thousands of patients.

Why These Awards Matter for Global Engineering Education

The EPICS in IEEE program, now in its 30th year, connects engineering students with community partners to address issues like water scarcity, healthcare access, and sustainable agriculture. A 2023 study by the IEEE Global Engineering Education Council found that participants are 40% more likely to pursue careers in socially impactful technologies.

These awards highlight the growing emphasis on “service learning” in engineering curricula. By blending technical skills with community engagement, programs like EPICS aim to cultivate engineers who prioritize sustainability and equity, according to a 2024 report by the National Academy of Engineering.

Key Takeaways

• EPICS in IEEE awards recognize students and faculty advancing sustainable engineering solutions.
• Surattana Kakay’s water management system reduces agricultural water use by 63%.
• Navid Shaghaghi’s frugal innovation projects support small-scale farmers in drought-affected regions.
• Elizabeth Vidal-Duarte’s assistive technologies improve healthcare access for marginalized communities.