October 6, 2014 – The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) has been established to encourage the exchange and dissemination of technical information, and to promote understanding and cooperation among the members of each organization, the parties say. Centred on five components, the term of the agreement is for three years—2014 to 2017.

“Solid State Lighting and associated controls have created a bridge between the lighting industry and the electronics industry. R&D, engineering, and new applications are of interest to both communities with these new technologies being widely adopted and applied by both professional designers and consumers,” said William Hanley, executive vice-president of the IES and co-signer of the agreement.

The first component of the agreement allows IEEE and IES to enter into collaborative projects, events, and products such as conferences, forums, publications, history, standards, educational materials, and awards. Joint activities devoted to preserving and sustaining the environment, improving technology awareness in the general public, establishing communication between specific committees and providing expertise and support to those involved in lighting topics will also be explored. It is desired that both organizations investigate ways to spread the teaching of math and science in K-12 schools, subject to the resources available to the respective organizations, noted the parties.

Maintaining communications is the second component, which aims to be accomplished through an on-going exchange of newsletters, announcements and other information to ensure each is informed of the other’s key concerns and activities. The third component is to allow for potential partnering by sharing each organization’s schedule of technical conferences and events, while the fourth is that IEEE and IES may agree to participate in mutual standards development. The associations are also investigating a process that would allow visiting members of one organization to avail themselves of the facilities, services and programs of the other hosting organization.