It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2023 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC). GHTC is the flagship annual conference that brings together academics, for-profit and non-profit organizations, field practitioners, and students to demonstrate how they are addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals using technology to meet the needs of under-served communities around the world.
The conference program includes two pre- conference workshops presented by Mathworks and Elsevier. Mathworks will show how Matlab tools may be used for humanitarian applications and the Elsevier workshop will illustrate the way their tools may be used for doing research related to the UN sustainable development goals.
We have several keynote speakers, plenary sessions, panels and presentations by colleagues from all over the world. The opening day plenary session will include these speakers: Mr. Varun Loomba, co-founder of the Global Himalayan Expedition and Mr. Mou Riiny, Founder and CEO of Sungate Solar Solutions, a solar business based in South Sudan. We have panels on Connectivity, Young Professionals, and the IEEE Humanitarian organizations, including IEEE HTB, IEEE Smart Village, and IEEE EPICS. The keynote speaker at the Conference Gala Dinner is Dr. Krista Donaldson, the Director of Innovation to Impact at Stanford University’s Byers Center for Biodesign, where her work focuses on ensuring design tools and processes are broadly applicable across global markets. We also look forward to recognizing this year’s winner of the IEEE Norbert Wiener Award from the Social Implications of Technology Society (SSIT) and the winners of the Best Student Paper Awards (also sponsored by IEEE SSIT).
We are delighted and honored to host this 13th edition of the conference at Villanova University, the first time it is being held on the East coast! Located about 12 miles west of Philadelphia, Villanova University is conveniently located about a 20-minute train ride from the City of Philadelphia and about 30 minutes’ drive from Philadelphia International Airport. The City of Philadelphia offers many cultural experiences including excellent restaurants, the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art, where you can take a picture of the Rocky statue. Philadelphia was the first capital of the United States and is where Independence Hall (where the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were written) and the Liberty Bell are located. South Philadelphia is also the home of several prominent sporting teams including the Phillies baseball team, the Eagles football team, the Flyers ice hockey team, the 76ers basketball team, and the Union MLS soccer team. The famous King of Prussia Mall, the second largest mall in the US, and Valley Forge National Park, are also located close to Villanova University.
I want to thank everyone who has made this year’s IEEE GHTC conference possible, including:
- Members of the Technical Committee
- Track chairs
- Session chairs
- Logistics and local arrangements coordinators
- Publicity chair
- Publications chair
- Authors of papers and posters
I also want to thank the financial sponsors and patrons who have supported this year’s conference.
We are grateful that you have taken the time to attend the conference in person or remotely. We hope that you will engage with your colleagues, learn from each other, forge new partnerships, and take advantage of the many social opportunities offered by Philadelphia and its surrounding areas.
Best wishes for a fruitful and enjoyable 2023 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference!
Dr. Pritpal (“Pali”) Singh
Chair, 2023 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference