Students and young professionals at Busitema University are gaining hands-on experience in emerging engineering technologies as the 2026 IEEE Interdisciplinary Seasonal School begins at the university’s Faculty of Engineering Library. The two-day workshop, running from October 23 to 24, is bringing together students, young professionals and researchers to explore how technologies such as smart sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), signal processing, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), photonics and Arduino electronics can be used to address challenges facing communities.
The programme is being organised by the IEEE Uganda Section Sensors Council, GRSS and SPS Joint Chapter, in collaboration with IEEE partners. It is being conducted in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend either physically or online. 
A major focus of the workshop is hands-on learning. Students have been divided into groups and are taking part in practical exercises designed to help them move beyond classroom theory and gain experience working with technology.
During the practical sessions, participants are learning how to build simple electronic circuits, connect LEDs and sensors, and use Arduino boards to test basic ideas. They are also being introduced to how smart devices collect, process, and share information.
The workshop is also exposing participants to the use of satellite images, mapping and other tools for monitoring the environment. These technologies can support work in areas such as agriculture, water management and environmental protection.

Organisers say the programme is designed to address a common challenge among engineering students: having a strong understanding of concepts but limited opportunities to work with equipment, build prototypes and test solutions to real-world problems.

Through demonstrations, technical sessions and group activities, participants are being encouraged to work together to develop simple technology-based solutions to problems in their communities.

The organisers are particularly interested in applications that can help improve environmental monitoring, agricultural productivity, water quality, connectivity and access to affordable technology.
Beyond technical training, the Seasonal School is providing an opportunity for students to interact with researchers, industry professionals and members of IEEE technical societies. The organisers say these interactions can help participants build professional networks, find mentors and identify opportunities for future collaboration.

By the end of the two-day programme, participants are expected to have gained basic practical skills, increased confidence in experimenting with engineering technologies, and developed a better understanding of how emerging technologies can contribute to humanitarian and community development.
The workshop ultimately seeks to turn classroom knowledge into practical action, giving young engineers the tools and confidence to develop affordable solutions to challenges affecting their communities.