The IEEE Photonics Society and the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), a membership-led, not-for-profit industry association that promotes the sustainable development of organizations working in the field of photonics, have entered into a multiyear agreement to promote joint activities, cross-disciplinary technical dissemination, and cooperative programs between membership bodies.
The goal of the agreement between the two organizations is to enhance engineers, physicists, scientists, industry professionals, and students access to industry-relevant training and continuing education opportunities in the related fields of the organizations’ scopes, ranging from LED lighting, photovoltaic solar energy, photonic integrated circuits, and optical components to lasers, sensors, imaging, displays, projectors, optical fibers, and other photonics-related technologies.
EPIC offers a vibrant photonics ecosystem and strong network acting as a catalyst and facilitator for technological and commercial advancement throughout Europe. The IEEE Photonics Society will benefit from EPIC’s relationship with startups, SMEs, large companies, research organizations, and other stakeholders that accelerate technological advancements and reach emerging photonics markets.
The IEEE will provide EPIC’s members access to highly cited publications, conferences, academics, and eligibility for annual awards contributing to advancements in technology. There are over 400,000 IEEE members in over 160 countries, more than 60% of whom are from outside the United States. As 1 of 39 technical Societies of the IEEE, the IEEE Photonics Society will provide avenues for local and international engagement with innovators the field and the next generation of photonics engineers and scientists of tomorrow. The partnership will facilitate collaboration across the IEEE, launch initiatives, and recommendations for the development of products and services that meet the needs of industry.
The Society’s Industry Engagement Committee, led by Dalma Novak, IEEE Technical Activities Division X Director and IEEE Photonics Society Industry Engagement Committee Chair, will directly steer services between the parties’ agreement as well as encourage entrepreneurship initiatives and increase the elevation of industry members within relevant IEEE leadership positions.
Both parties will collaborate where possible to increase the endorsement of technology standards, roadmaps, information exchange, and community support of technician and trade development initiatives.