Overview
The SIGHT Committee operates as a subcommittee of the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board (HTB) Programs Committee to manage and coordinate aspects of the program above the local community level. The committee’s charge includes approving new SIGHT Groups, overseeing the use of the SIGHT brand by Groups, ongoing training for Groups and members to strengthen volunteers’ skills and prepare them to facilitate sustainable development initiatives at a grassroots level, and organizing community engagement activities.
The committee also supports the activities of existing Groups, oversees the SIGHT Awards, and provides strategic direction for the future of the program.
2026 IEEE SIGHT Committee
Amira Ouerfelli
Chair, IEEE SIGHT Committee
Amira Ouerfelli
Amira is an electrical engineer specialized in robotics, embedded systems, and artificial intelligence. She holds a master’s degree in Information System Technologies from ENIT and is deeply committed to creating sustainable impact through technology. She wasrecognized with the Best Performance Sustainable Project Award at IEEE PowerAfrica 2024. Under her leadership, the IEEE SIGHT Tunisia Section received the Outstanding SIGHT Section Award for Region 8 (2025).
She currently holds several leadership positions, including:
- IEEE MGA Representative, HTB (2026)
- IEEE HTB SIGHT Chair (2026)
- IEEE HTAC Region 8 Member (2026)
- IEEE SIGHT Tunisia Section Chair (2025–2026)
- Humanitarian Technologies Coordinator, IEEE Tunisia Section (2025–2026)
- IEEE Smart Village Volunteer (since 2021)
- Co-Chair, Implementation Committee for Education, IEEE Smart Village Global (2025–2026)
- IAS WIE Region 8 Representative (2025–2026)
Beyond IEEE, Amira chairs the Disaster Response Team at the National Tunisian Red Crescent (since 2020), with a focus on disaster risk reduction and strengthening community resilience.
Dimuthu Anuraj
Member, IEEE SIGHT Committee
Dimuthu Anuraj
Dimuthu Anuraj is a researcher and emerging technology leader with a strong foundation in Computer Science, specializing in machine learning, signal processing, and speaker verification. Currently pursuing his postgraduate studies at the University of Jaffna, he has contributed to research spanning Sinhala and Tamil language technologies, deep neural network–based verification systems, and high‑performance computing initiatives.
Alongside his academic work, Dimuthu is deeply engaged in global and regional technology communities. He serves as a Gateways Ambassador and Lead Ambassador for IEEE Collabratec, helping expand access to collaborative research ecosystems. His leadership extends across the IEEE network, including roles such as Vice Chair for IEEE Region 10 Humanitarian Technology Activities (2025), evaluator and committee member for IEEE Humanitarian Technology Board programs, and contributor to IEEE SIGHT Sri Lanka’s first funded humanitarian technology project.
Dimuthu is also active in student and professional development initiatives, frequently mentoring young engineers, organizing workshops, and promoting the value of IEEE membership and volunteerism. His work reflects a commitment to technology for humanity, empowering communities through innovation, education, and sustainable solutions.
Bhagwan Das
Member, IEEE SIGHT Committee
Bhagwan Das
Dr. Bhagwan Das is a technology leader, researcher, and engineering executive specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ethical AI, intelligent systems, IoT-enabled architectures, and advanced communication networks. His work focuses on responsible AI deployment, data-driven decision systems, digital transformation, and scalable technology solutions that deliver measurable social and industry impact. He is also a Certified Ethical AI Assessor, reinforcing his commitment to governance, transparency, risk management, and trustworthy AI implementation. Dr. Das is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and currently serves as Chair of the IEEE Computer Society, Vice Chair of Young Professionals (YP), Chair of Membership Development Victorian Section;and Vice Chair of IEEE SIGHT Victorian Section. Through these leadership roles, he advances industry collaboration, professional capability building, membership growth, and humanitarian technology initiatives aligned with sustainable development goals. He is a Chartered Engineer (CPEng), Fellow of Engineers Australia, International Professional Engineer (IntPE), APEC, and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Combining technical depth, ethical AI leadership, and strategic governance expertise, Dr. Das brings a strong industry-focused perspective to innovation, digital strategy, and responsible technology transformation.
Rayen Dellai
Member, IEEE SIGHT Committee
Rayen Dellai
Rayen Dellai is expected to graduate from the Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Mateur in 2025. He currently serves as the Webmaster of the IEEE ISSATM Student Branch, a position he has held for over a year. Passionate about 2D design and graphic arts, he has successfully combined his academic path with his creative interests by also serving as the Media Manager for the WIE Affinity Group, a role he fulfilled for one year.
His experience has enabled him to develop strong skills in graphic illustration, essential for producing engaging and innovative visual content. He works closely with his team to create communication materials that capture attention and effectively convey the values of their student organization.
Gerhard Dueck
Member, IEEE SIGHT Committee
Gerhard Dueck
Gerhard Dueck is the IEEE Region 7 Humanitarian Initiatives Committee (HIC) Lead and a key member of the organizing team for the IEEE International Humanitarian Technology Conference (IHTC) 2023 and 2025. A retired Professor of Computer Science from the University of New Brunswick, Gerhard has led and collaborated on academic projects across Europe, India, Bhutan, and Brazil. He is passionate about empowering students to lead impactful humanitarian technology projects and fostering global connections. Currently, Gerhard is focused on building a vibrant humanitarian community within IEEE Canada through grassroots engagement and the formation of new SIGHT groups.
Rakshit Anilkumar Nirmalakumari Jain
Member, IEEE SIGHT Committee
Rakshit Anilkumar Nirmalakumari Jain
Rakshit Jain is a seasoned Design Thinking expert and currently works as an AI Engineer at PTC, Pune. He is deeply passionate about fostering innovation through user-centric problem solving and has been instrumental in helping early-stage ventures and professionals harness the power of design thinking for real-world impact. Rakshit has advised nearly 10 early-career startups, guiding them on growth strategy, user engagement, and solution design through structured innovation frameworks. He has also conducted 30+ workshops across academic institutions and industries, empowering students and early-career professionals to think creatively and approach problems with a structured, empathetic mindset. His sessions are known for their energy, hands-on approach, and practical insights, making complex concepts accessible and actionable. As an active contributor to the startup and IEEE communities, Rakshit frequently mentors and conducts pro-bono training programs to promote design-driven thinking and innovation
Kalyani Matey
Member, IEEE SIGHT Committee
Kalyani Matey
Kalyani Matey is the Young Professionals representative to the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board.She chaired the inaugural IEEE Young Professionals Summit hosted by Region 1 in 2024. She holds an MBA in Marketing and is currently focused on expanding Young Professional engagement across IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board Programs. Kalyani organized key IEEE engagements during the 2024 and 2025 New York Climate Week and participated in the 2024 and 2025 United Nations General Assembly. She brings over 12 years of volunteer experience in social impact and sustainability initiatives, with a strong focus on translating humanitarian intent into measurable action through IEEE.
Sewwandie Nanayakkara
Member, IEEE SIGHT Committee
Sewwandie Nanayakkara
Sewwandie Nanayakkara is an Associate Technical Lead at Sysco LABS Sri Lanka, specializing in software development and technical leadership within the foodservice technology domain. Their work supports Sysco LABS’ mission to modernize and streamline the global foodservice industry through scalable, high‑impact engineering solutions.
They previously served as a Senior Software Engineer, focusing on application engineering, performance improvements, and system optimization. Earlier roles at Sysco LABS included contributing to software development and quality assurance efforts, with hands‑on involvement across the software development lifecycle. Through these positions, they helped enhance digital experiences that support meal preparation and operational efficiency for a wide range of foodservice partners.
Before joining Sysco LABS, Sewwandie worked at Creative Software as a Software Engineer and Intern. This experience provided exposure to
software development, QA, application management, and support services across sectors such as Manufacturing, Logistics, and Healthcare. They contributed to solutions delivered to clients in Sweden, Norway, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Sewwandie holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Peradeniya and is the Chair of the IEEE Sri Lanka Section SIGHT Group.
Sarah Shafqat
Member, IEEE SIGHT Committee
Dr Sarah Shafqat PhDCS is IEEE Professional Member (since 2016) and contributed volunteer services for Industry Relations and SIGHT Section for region 10 Islamabad, Pakistan. Currently, she is a Senior Member and holding Chair, SIGHT IEEE Islamabad Section position.
Alysson Virgulino da Silva
Member, IEEE SIGHT Committee
Alysson Virgulino da Silva
Alysson, an electrical engineering student has extensive experience with IEEE, participating in volunteerism, leadership, and project development. Currently, he is the Section Volunteer Development Track Coordinator for the IEEE SAC Northeast Section, a member of the SAC Enlaces Magazine Committee – Evaluation and Continuous Improvement at IEEE SAC R9, and a member of the IEEE SIGHT Committee.
He has held strategic positions, such as Chair of the IEEE UFS Student Branch (2023-2024), where he led award-winning initiatives, including the Darrel Chong Student Activity Award and the Student Branch Revelation of the IEEE Council SAC Awards 2024 – Brazil Council. Additionally, he created and coordinated the Mangaba Educational Project (IEEE IRMÃO), an initiative focused on electrical engineering education.
As an IEEE Ambassador for IEEE Day 2023 and 2024, and Ambassador for IEEEXtreme 18.0 in 2024, Alysson contributed to the growing IEEE presence in Sergipe, mainly at the Federal University of Sergipe.
IEEE SIGHT Staff Support
Julianna M. Pichardo
Humanitarian Activities & Sustainable Development Manager
Julianna Pichardo
Julianna joined the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies team at IEEE in 2018 after returning to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic. While in the DR, she worked with Esperanza International, a microfinance nonprofit dedicated to poverty alleviation. A fluent Spanish speaker, she has studied in Valparaiso, Chile, and volunteers as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher through a local library program. As the Humanitarian Technology & Sustainable Development Program Manager, Julianna supports the work of all the committees of the Humanitarian Technologies Board to ensure smooth and consistent processes that lead to meaningful impact. She especially enjoys meeting the IEEE volunteers from around the world that conduct projects that use technology to address a local sustainable development challenge for their community.
Brittany Chubbuck
Project Specialist, Humanitarian Technologies
Brittany Chubbuck
Before joining the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies team in February 2024, Brittany devoted over 9 years to The Salvation Army New Jersey Division. Her expertise spans Community Engagement, Business Administration, and Finance establishing a solid foundation for her current role. As the Humanitarian Technologies Project Specialist, she supports the work of the Humanitarian Technologies Board and its committees, IEEE SIGHT and the IEEE Tech4Good program. Brittany draws inspiration and enjoys collaborating with IEEE volunteers worldwide who are dedicated to implementing meaningful humanitarian technology initiatives within their own communities.
