IEEE UK and Ireland Section Vice Chair Ballot | Meet the Candidates – Sohaib Sheikh

Talk Title

“Decarbonising the built environment – a technology perspective”

Abstract

Climate Change is a defining issue of our generation, and for generations to come. In the UK, the built environment contributes around 40% of UK’s total carbon footprint. This session explores practical ways and use cases through which the industry is trying to tackle this behemoth through the use of technology, the gaps that still remain and the next steps which are needed to target net zero carbon.

Related Technical Achievements & Experience

Sohaib Sheikh is a multi-award winning senior ICT and Smart Buildings professional with multidisciplinary, cross-sector, global consultancy experience. He has expertise in strategy, design, implementation, and commissioning of large-scale complex information and communications systems on high-profile, major international capital investment programs, particularly in the commercial property and sports sectors across the United Kingdom, Middle East, North America, and Russia.

He has delivered plenary talks and workshops at 40+ international events including the UNESCO World Science Forum, IEEE Sections Congress, and the World Engineering Education Forum. Sheikh is a Senior Member of the IEEE.

Leadership Experience

Sohaib Sheikh has led multi-million pound programmes for the delivery of Networking, 5G, IoT and Data Analytics systems in the construction and commercial real estate industry. Within IEEE, he has had leadership roles or engagement with all major Boards, key Board-level committees and Region 8.

Position Statement

Overview of Key IEEE roles and engagements

Sheikh was the 2019-20 Vice Chair for Technical Activities in IEEE Region 8 leading Conferences, Chapter Activities, Action for Industry, Standards, Professional Activities and Educational Activities across Europe, Middle East, and Africa. He is currently a member of the Board of the IEEE Educational Activities Board and IEEE Awards Board, and a member of the IEEE Membership Recruitment and Recovery Committee and IEEE Industry Engagement Committee.

Previously, he was a member of the Governing Board of the Technology and Engineering Management Society and IEEE Humanitarian Activities Committee. He started and has successfully led the IEEE Industry Summit for AI and IoT in Dubai, UAE from 2019-21.

Vision for the Section

To promote technical excellence and be a trusted partner for the industry, academia and wider society in the UK and Ireland.

Key policy initiatives and action plan

• Improve Member Engagement
  • Increase Networking opportunities
  • Grow Professional Development initiatives
  • Develop new style of technical and non-technical activities to increase our appeal towards inactive, past, and prospective members
• Engage Outwards
  • Initiate a Corporate Engagement Program
  • Contribute to Government Policy Proposals
  • Expand thematic public events focused on topics of societal interest e.g. Net Zero Carbon
• Strengthen Organizational Outlook
  • Develop a Long-term Strategic Plan
  • Build Local Partnerships
  • Establish a Volunteer Development Program