SYP Forum-related

SYP Forum Agenda

Tentative Agenda:

Note for Attendees:
Participation in the SYP Forum is mandatory for all SYPA winners. If you have a scheduled presentation during the forum, you may leave to present and are expected to return once your session is complete.

DATE: 16th of October 2025

SYP Forum Special Keynotes

<<More Info Coming Soon>>

• Prof Milos Manic, IES President
• Prof Yajun Pan, IES VP-MA
• Prof. Lucia Lo Bello, Collaboration and Engagement Chairs
• Antonio Luque, IECON’25 General Co-Chair
• Juan J. Rodríguez-Andina, IECON’25 General Co-Chair

SYP Forum Keynotes

Keynote 1 Title: Controlling Transport: A 25-Year Journey at the Crossroads of Physics and Automation

Abstract:

From the early study of time-delay systems to the exploration of transport phenomena described by nonlinear partial differential equations, this talk traces a 25-year journey at the crossroads of physics and automatic control. At its heart is a quest to understand and control how information, energy, and matter move through complex systems.

Along the way, this work has sparked advances with tangible impact: algorithms that helped Renault and Nissan design cleaner car engines meeting European pollution standards; a real-time distributed strategy to track plasma profiles in the race toward thermonuclear fusion; and transport models of polar firns that reveal, with striking precision, how human activity has shaped the atmosphere over the last century.

The talk will unfold as a story of challenges, decisions, and turning points—following a path from student beginnings to the responsibilities of a senior professor. It will emphasize the fertile exchanges between theory and industry, research and education, and across scientific disciplines, while also reflecting on the personal dimension of an international career lived across multiple countries.

Bio:

Emmanuel Witrant is Professor of Automatic Control at Université Grenoble Alpes (GIPSA-lab), where he leads the Infinity team on infinite-dimensional dynamics. His research focuses on modeling, estimation, and control of transport phenomena in heterogeneous and complex media, with applications ranging from thermonuclear fusion plasmas and glaciology to automotive engines, cryogenics, and intelligent ventilation systems. He has authored over 60 journal papers (including Nature and Nature Geoscience), 5 patents, 2 books, and coordinated numerous international, national, and industrial projects. His work is characterized by strong interdisciplinarity, bridging physics, applied mathematics, and control engineering to tackle high-impact scientific and societal challenges.

Alongside his research, he has played a central role in education and training at UGA, creating the international Master MiSCIT and contributing to the Electrical Engineering and Control Systems program. He has supervised 16 PhD students, 13 post-docs, and numerous Master’s projects, while fostering international collaborations with institutions such as CEA, CERN, EPFL, KTH, KUL, NOAA, ULB, and Dalhousie University. His career demonstrates a rare combination of theoretical advances, experimental validation, and pedagogical innovation, with a sustained commitment to interdisciplinary problem-solving and international scientific leadership.

Keynote 2 Title: DC Buildings – Decarbonization Empowered by Power Electronics

Abstract:

The decarbonization of buildings is a cornerstone of the global transition to net-zero emissions, with electrification playing a central role. This talk explores how power electronics is enabling the shift from traditional AC-based infrastructures to direct current (DC) power systems, paving the way for more efficient, resilient, and future-proof buildings. The presentation includes a short overview of current policy frameworks such as the Green Deal and EPBD revisions, discusses recent advancements in residential DC distribution architectures and power electronic systems, provides introduction to practical standards (e.g., NPR9090, Current/OS) and presents the real-world DC deployments at TalTech’s Residential DC Innovation Hub (Estonia) and DC Experience Center (Netherlands).

Bio:

Dmitri Vinnikov (Fellow, IEEE) earned his Dipl.Eng., M.Sc., and Dr.Sc.techn. degrees in electrical engineering from Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia, in 1999, 2001, and 2005, respectively. He is currently the Head of the Power Electronics Group in the Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics at Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia. Since 2021, he has been a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. He was one of the founders of ENER — Estonian Centre of Excellence in Energy Efficiency. He has authored or co-authored three books, five monographs, and numerous book chapters, as well as over 500 published papers on power converter design and development. He is the holder of numerous patents and utility models in this field. His research interests include the applied design of power electronic systems, the implementation of wide-bandgap power semiconductors, renewable energy conversion systems, energy-efficient buildings, and the reliability and fault tolerance of power electronic converters.

Dmitri Vinnikov is the recipient of two Estonian National Research Awards in Engineering Sciences (2020 and 2024), recognizing his long-term scientific achievements in applied power electronics.

SYP Forum Panel Discussion

Theme: From Campus to Global Impact: Mastering the Leap into Professional Excellence

Objective:

This panel aims to empower final-year students, fresh graduates, and early-career professionals to navigate the transition from academic life to the professional arena—both in industry and academia—while cultivating the skills, mindset, and global vision needed to excel.

Key Topics to be Discussed:

1. Bridging Knowledge and Practice – Translating academic learning into workplace success.
2. Career Pathways – Academia vs. Industry: How to choose and adapt.
3. Global Opportunities – Networking, collaborations, and career growth beyond borders.
4. Skills Beyond the Degree – Leadership, communication, innovation, and adaptability.
5. Resilience & Mindset – Thriving amid uncertainty and change.

Expected Outcomes:

• Practical strategies for students and early-career professionals to accelerate career success.
• Insights into industry-academia expectations worldwide.
• Networking connections with global experts.

Target Audience:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Early-career professionals.
• Academics interested in mentoring young professionals.

Moderator:
Prof. Tripura Pidikiti (India – Professor) – Moderator + Speaker-

Tripura Pidikiti was born on 26 July 1980. She received the B.Tech., M.Tech., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from JNTUK, Kakinada. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at R.V.R. & J.C. College of Engineering, India. Her research interests include power electronics, renewable energy systems, and industrial drives. She has authored over 20 journal papers, and 7 conference papers and has supervised M.Tech. and B. Tech students. She has organized and chaired international IEEE initiatives, including the IEEE IES SYP Congress 2024. She has served as Chair of the IEEE IES Hyderabad Section Chapter (2023–2025) and Interim Chair of the IEEE Hyderabad Section (2025), and is a member of the IEEE IES Membership Development and Student Activities Committees 2025-26. She has been invited as a speaker and session chair at IEEE conferences and has received multiple recognitions, including the IEEE MGA Outstanding Counselor 2024.

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Panelists:

Kayoum Djedidi – HW Acceleration & Embedded Systems Engineer | PhD Candidate, INRS Montréal | CEO & Co-founder, OORB Open Organic Robotics (Tunisia/Canada)

Kayoum is a 24-year-old PhD student whose work focuses on FPGA-based hardware acceleration, robotics, and 5G/mmWave systems. As CEO of OORB, he champions open-source robotics solutions and leverages IEEE platforms to create global collaborations. He will share how aligning technical projects with long-term ambitions can amplify career success and open doors to global opportunities.

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Prof. Marco Rivera – Professor in Control of Power Electronics Converters, University of Nottingham (UK)

An award-winning researcher with over 600 publications, Prof. Rivera is renowned for his work in power electronics, renewable energy integration, and hybrid energy systems. He will highlight strategies for turning academic expertise into impactful global projects, emphasizing professional networking, adaptability, and leadership.

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Prof. Wenbin Dai – Full Professor, School of Automation and Intelligent Sensing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China)

Prof. Dai, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Association of Automation, has led groundbreaking projects in industrial automation, cloud-based PLC software, and international standards development. He will share methods for bridging research gaps between academia and industry, identifying real-world challenges, and fostering innovation.

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Dr. Chathurika S.W. Brahmana – Principal Scientist, Capital One (USA)

With expertise spanning responsible AI, deep learning, and cybersecurity, Dr. Brahmana has worked with academia, national labs, and industry. She will offer practical guidance on translating university learning to industry success, underpinned by a growth mindset and cross-sector experience.

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Prof. Daswin De Silva – Full Professor of AI and Analytics, La Trobe University (Australia)

A global AI strategist and advisor, Prof. De Silva directs AI initiatives and contributes expertise to leading media outlets and journals worldwide. His perspective will focus on AI’s future, resilient career pathways, and thriving amid uncertainty through innovation and ethical leadership.

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