By Arie Pangesti Aji (arie@ieee.org)
Universitas Dian Nusantara, Jakarta, Indonesia
Vice-chair of IEEE YP Affinity Group Indonesia Section
The 2025 IEEE VIC Summit & Honors Ceremony Gala is an annual event organized by the IEEE to celebrate innovation and excellence in engineering, science, and technology for the benefit of humanity. For the first time ever, the event will take place in Asia, held on 23–24 April 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. This year’s event also introduces an inspiring new program—the first-ever IEEE Young Professionals (YP) & Laureate Forum—dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of young professionals, early-career technologists, innovators, and researchers worldwide. Through this program, attendees gain valuable recognition for their work while forging meaningful connections with esteemed IEEE Medal of Honor Laureates and Medal Recipients.
IEEE Region 10 has launched a Travel Support Program for IEEE Student Members and Young Professional (YP) Members to attend the 2025 IEEE VIC Summit and Honors Ceremony. This program allows 10 Sections, Subsections, or Councils within the region to nominate one member each. After a thorough selection process, Dr. Arie Pangesti Aji, Vice-chair of the YP Affinity Group, was selected to represent the IEEE Indonesia Section.
In the IEEE Young Professionals (YP) & Laureate Forum, invited YP members engage in roundtable discussions, sharing experiences and receiving mentorship to guide their professional journeys. The forum provides an opportunity to connect with one of IEEE’s most iconic figures, such as Steve Wozniak (Co-founder of Apple Inc.), expand professional networks, receive guidance on ongoing research, identify potential collaborators, and enhance research strategies. It also facilitates relationship-building with a global audience of executive leaders, seasoned professionals, fellow young professionals, and students—all in one place.
At the conclusion of the forum, IEEE introduced the recipient of the IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award. This year, Dr. Aishwarya Bandla from the National University of Singapore was honored for her leadership in patient-centric health technology innovation and for inspiring IEEE Young Professionals to drive meaningful change.
Additionally, forum participants had the opportunity to attend IEEE’s premier event—the IEEE VIC Summit and Honors Ceremony. The Honors Ceremony Gala recognizes global technology giants with IEEE Medals and Recognitions—the highest awards conferred by IEEE for exceptional contributions to engineering and technology that benefit society. The list of honorees is available at: Current IEEE Corporate Award Recipients | IEEE Awards.