The Middle East and North Africa region is known to suffer from a sizeable gap between the skills available in local markets and those needed for economic advancement. In a country and region suffering from economic and political hardship, investment in human capital is, unfortunately, not a high priority. The skills gap is not just about technical skills but also entails soft skills. One of the key points to keep in mind, for university students in general, is that education does not happen exclusively in the classroom. Your student experience sets you apart from your colleagues, even those at the same institution. Engagement in extracurricular activities is an essential part of that experience. Being a student allows you to pursue your interests and passions, and there is no better time to do it. For engineering students, you have the privilege of professional engineering societies. This is where the role of professional organizations, such as the IEEE, comes in. Whether you are an enthusiast, a student, a young professional, or a senior citizen, belonging to the IEEE, or another professional engineering organization in your fi eld, has countless advantages.
Authors: Michael P. Salem
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/mpot.2019.2934787
Publish Year: 2019
