Ning Hua [center] flanked by Michael Lightner [left] and Matt Loeb

The IEEE office in China is now up and running, having opened its doors in Beijing’s Haidian Science Park in June. “Although we’ve partnered with key Chinese technical and scientific organizations in the past, it became increasingly complex to work effectively in China without having a legal presence in the country,” says 2006 IEEE President Michael Lightner. He, IEEE Executive Director Jeffry Raynes, and Matt Loeb, staff director of IEEE Corporate Strategy and Communications, the area that oversees the new office, were instrumental in getting the office opened.

The IEEE Board of Directors decided in 2006 to establish the office, which is expected to focus on standards development, improving engineering education, and increasing membership.

Ning Hua, a Chinese national, manages the Beijing office, working with various IEEE groups to develop programs. “Our mission is to help chart the IEEE’s future direction in China and to execute and support the IEEE’s activities around the country,” Hua says. Two staff members will soon be added. Hua is an IEEE member and former chief technology officer of BII Group Holdings, a Chinese IT consulting company.

One of Hua’s first priorities is to involve Chinese engineering companies in helping to develop IEEE standards. Since April 2006, the IEEE Standards Association has held three training seminars on the international standardization process in Beijing and Shenzhen. The group also met with ChinaMobile, Haier, and other companies.

Helping China accredit its universities and developing certification programs for engineers are other objectives. The IEEE Educational Activities Board and the China staff plan to work with Chinese government agencies and companies to develop the programs. To meet the IEEE’s objectives, the China staff will develop relationships with key Chinese government agencies and engineering companies, Hua says.

To boost membership, the staff will hold seminars at Chinese engineering companies, explaining the benefits of joining the IEEE. At present, the country has seven sections and 4120 members.