U of A Gaining Valuable Connections in Africa With the IMAS 2023 Conference

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Microwave Theory and Technology Society launched the International Microwave & Antennas Symposium conference for Africa in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 7-9. The conference provided researchers and students with opportunities to collaborate on radiofrequency components, microwave technology and antennas.

Samir M. El-Ghazaly, Distinguished Professor of electrical engineering and a fellow of the institute, spearheaded the initiative after recognizing Africa's potential for growth.

"For several years, we felt that there is great potential for growth in Africa, especially with radiofrequency systems and their use in wireless technology," he said. "Scientists and engineers contributed and presented technical papers from both inside and outside Africa. This helped create major opportunities for researchers and students to learn from each other and get to know each other. Hopefully, in the future, these researchers and students will collaborate on projects together."

With support from the National Science Foundation, the conference sponsored a two-day workshop prior to its start. The workshop attracted over 75 participants. The participants presented research on satellite communications, radars for civilian applications, Smart Village and Smart City.

Mechanical engineering professor Uche Wejinya and food science professor Griffiths Atungulu presented at the workshop and attended the conference. Both are interested in follow-up activities with other attendees, El-Ghazaly said.

"Both the workshops and the conference were huge successes because they introduced people to each other, created collaboration and opportunities. I know several researchers from the University of Arkansas and from Africa are communicating following their interactions at the workshop."

The conference has far-reaching implications for U of A. It provides African scientists and students with visibility to the university and creates opportunities for strategic collaborations that are significant from technical, academic and economic points of view at a global level.

El-Ghazaly expresses hope that the conference will be held every two years in different African countries. This will promote research and collaboration in radiofrequency technology internationally. He believes the initiative will attract and recruit top students from Africa and create business relationships that will benefit both Africa and the United States. The 2025 conference is likely to be held in Morocco, but the selections have not been finalized.

The 2027 conference is likely to be held in sub-Saharan Africa, El-Ghazaly said.