IEEE Challenges Students to Change the World

PISCATAWAY, NJ--(Marketwire - September 2, 2008) - IEEE, the world's largest technical professional society, today announced the first IEEE Presidents' Change the World Competition. The contest is open to college and university students who demonstrate excellence in the design and implementation of technology that can solve a life challenge for the benefit of humanity.

The competition's goal is to recognize and reward individual students or teams of students who identify a real-world problem and apply engineering, science, computing and leadership skills to solve it. The contest offers students a unique opportunity to have their ingenuity and enthusiasm for engineering and technology recognized by prestigious IEEE members around the globe.

Winners will receive awards ranging from the grand prize of US $10,000 and the distinction of being named "IEEE Student Humanitarian Supreme," to runner-up prizes of US $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 rewards. Winners of the top three prizes also will be invited to accept their awards in-person in June 2009 at the annual IEEE Honors Ceremony in Los Angeles, California, USA. In addition, up to 15 semifinalists will compete for a US $500 Peoples' Choice award, which will be selected by popular vote from the contest website at www.ieee125.org/ChangeTheWorld.

"The IEEE Presidents' Change the World Competition is an exciting way to engage students and help unlock the passion so many of them have for helping humanity and making a difference for mankind," said John Vig, President-Elect of IEEE and chair of the 125th Anniversary committee. "This contest provides the opportunity for students worldwide to change at least a small part of the world, to communicate their ideas, express their creativity, entrepreneurship and leadership, and use their engineering and technology skills to make a positive impact."

The IEEE Presidents' Change the World Competition is part of the global celebration of IEEE's 125th Anniversary. To enter and for complete rules and guidelines, please visit the IEEE 125th Anniversary Web site at www.ieee125.org/ChangeTheWorld.

About IEEE 125th Anniversary

In 2009, IEEE is commemorating 125 years of ingenuity and innovation in engineering and technology with events and activities supporting the anniversary theme "Celebrating 125 Years of Engineering the Future." The year-long IEEE celebration includes local and global member and customer events; the first IEEE Presidents' Change the World Competition for students; a global media roundtable and webcast featuring emerging, world-changing technologies; the official unveiling of IEEE Engineering the Future Day on 13 May 2009; and much more. For more information on the IEEE 125th Anniversary, visit www.ieee125.org.

For member messages: For information on scheduled activities, how to establish an IEEE anniversary event, add to the calendar, or share an anniversary-related greeting, video or photo, visit www.ieee125.org.

About IEEE

The IEEE is the world's largest technical professional society, with more than 375,000 members in 160 countries, and a leading authority on technology-related matters ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. The IEEE publishes 30 percent of the world's literature in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science fields, has developed nearly 900 active industry standards and annually sponsors more than 850 conferences worldwide. Learn how the IEEE fosters technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity at http://www.ieee.org.

Contact Information: Contact: Erika Larkin Ruder Finn for IEEE Phone: +1 312 329 3983 Fran Tardo IEEE Phone: +1 732 465 5865