Wendy Russell of the Glasgow Convention Bureau was a welcome visitor to the James Watt School of Engineering this February. She and cameraman Ben Fitzhugh from Mallard Productions were here to interview Professor Muhammad Imran about Glasgow as an "IEEE destination" - for a bespoke video being produced for the world's leading professional membership body for Electronic and Electrical Engineers.

Professor Imran gave a guided tour of cutting-edge facilities including the Scottish 5G Centre and the Nanofabrication Centre, describing just some of the exciting research underway at the School. Our famous "social robot" Pepper was also introduced. Pepper is a humanoid robot that can interact with humans through conversation and gestures.

Glasgow Convention Bureau Filming 5G robots

A wide range of topics were covered including Glasgow's role as a proud IEEE city with a unique engineering heritage, why the contributions and collaborations of IEEE members are so valuable, and the innovations led by the School "in the area of digital connectivity and wireless communications" with "cutting edge technologies like Intelligent Reflective Surfaces, Connected Healthcare" and the "Immersive Metaverse".

It was noted that this is a particularly important time to highlight what Glasgow can offer during a period of both recovery and growth. As Professor Muhammad put it:

"Being an IEEE volunteer makes you a functioning organ in our international community of engineers to drive the common agenda of all engineers - serve humanity and solve pertinent challenges faced by society by the practical implementation of scientific innovations".

Glasgow has hosted nearly 40 IEEE conferences in 30 years, including the 'UK China Emerging Technologies Conference' in 2020 and the Glasgow Convention Bureau has consistently offered support with these events - including 'IEEE WCNC 2023' which will be hosted jointly by the Universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde, and the West of Scotland, this time next year.

As a parting gift, and a sign of the bond between the IEEE and Glasgow, Professor Imran was presented with a beautiful blue scarf in the 'IEEE Glasgow Clan Tartan'.


Glasgow Convention Bureau offers significant experience and expertise and a range of conference support services completely free, in order to assist with bidding, organising and hosting memorable and successful conferences in the city. Interested colleagues can contact: conventions@glasgowconventionbureau.com .

First published: 4 April 2022