About the Section

The IEEE

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the world's largest technical professional society. Founded in 1884 by a handful of practitioners of the new electrical engineering discipline, today's Institute is comprised of more than 360,000 members who conduct and participate in its activities in 150 countries. The men and women of the IEEE are the technical and scientific professionals making the revolutionary engineering advances which are reshaping our world today.

The technical objectives of the IEEE focus on advancing the theory and practice of electrical, electronics and computer engineering and computer science. To realize these objectives, the IEEE sponsors technical conferences, symposia and local meetings worldwide: publishes nearly 25% of the world's technical papers in electrical, electronics and computer engineering; provides educational programs to keep its members' knowledge and expertise state-of-the-art. The purpose of all these activities is two fold: (1) to enhance the quality of life for all peoples through improved public awareness of the influences and applications of its technologies; and (2) to advance the standing of the engineering profession and its members.

The IEEE, through its members, provides leadership in areas ranging from aerospace, computers and communications to biomedical technology, electric power and consumer electronics. For the latest research and innovations in the many diverse fields of electrical and electronics engineering, industry and individuals look to the IEEE.

IEEE membership is open to professionals with varying levels of academic accomplishment and work experience. Member, Senior Member and Fellow grades are limited to those who have achieved professional competence and recognition, as demonstrated by the college degrees they have received and/or by their work experience. Associate grade is open to certain technical and nontechnical applicants who may benefit by membership and participation in the IEEE and, also, to those individuals progressing through education and work experience toward Member grade. All members - Associate, Member, Senior Member and Fellow pay the same low membership dues and receive the same IEEE membership benefits and services, although Associates may not vote in IEEE elections or hold volunteer offices for which the grade of Member or higher is required. Student member applications are available upon request. Student members have substantially discounted dues and fees far below what other members pay.

The Region

IEEE has divided the world in 10 Geographical Units called Regions, which are further divided in Sections. The Benelux Section is part of Region 8, which covers Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as shown in the map below. Other Sections in Region 8 can be found on this page.

The Section

If you are an IEEE member and live in Belgium, the Netherlands, or Luxembourg, you are automatically a member of the Benelux Section. As of 26 November 2009, the total number of active members (including associates and affiliates) in the Benelux Section was 3581: 1 Honorary Member, 88 Fellows, 230 Senior Members, 2274 regular Members, 584 Graduate Student Members, 176 Associate Members, 228 Student members and 271 Society Affiliates; and the geographical breakdown was: 1641 in Belgium, 2202 in the Netherlands, and 72 in Luxembourg. From the IEEE Bylaws we learn that the title of Honorary Member may be conferred by the IEEE Board of Directors on those individuals, not members of IEEE, who have rendered meritorious service to humanity in IEEE's designated fields of interest; the grade of Associate Member is designed for technical and non-technical applicants who do not meet the qualifications for Member grade, but who would benefit through membership and participation in the IEEE, and for those who are progressing, through continuing education and work experience, towards the qualifications for Member grade; and the designation Society Affiliate refers to individuals who are not IEEE members but who are entitled to participate in certain activities of a Society. More detailed information on membership statistics can be found on the membership page.

The Section was established on 13 May 1959 as a Section of the IRE, the Institute of Radio Engineers; the merger in 1963 (with the AIEE, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers) changed this into IEEE. Dutch and Belgian Chairs (with their Secretaries) always alternated, and after 1986 often a second treasurer and/or secretary in the other country was elected.

Paper: The Benelux Section and Early IRE/IEEE Activity in Europe
(authors: Jan Biemond and Bruce B. Barrow)
Professor Jan Biemond and Bruce B. Barrow, one of the founding fathers of our section, have authored a paper on the history of the IEEE Benelux section. This paper has been presented at the IEEE conference on the history of technical societies. This conference took place in Philadelphia, USA. The conference is available through IEEE Xplore or directly from our website. The paper shows the interesting history of the section, and marks its role in the internationalization of IEEE roughly 50 years ago.
Summary:
This paper described the establishment of the Benelux Section by the IRE in 1959, covering Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and the establishment of IRE Region 9 in 1962 (now IEEE Region 8) in the context of the political and technical environment in Europe after the Second World War. It reflected on the merger of the IRE and the AIEE into IEEE in 1963, the international policy of the IEEE and the concerns raised by European Societies. Finally, it focused on the 50^th anniversary of the Benelux Section on May 12, 2009, its professional highlights, and its celebration event in Antwerp.