IISE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Edmond Palanda

Industrial Engineering and Management student at Kyambogo University in Uganda, pursuing bachelor’s degree with expected graduation date in 2021.

What are your goals?

My current goal is seeing myself graduate at the end of my four years education in 2021. I also hope to continue and attain a master’s degree in IE and continue to become a Six Sigma master black belt so that I am able to train engineers and quality leaders in my country on the benefits and use of robust continuous process improvement techniques and tools such as Six Sigma.

Biggest advantages to your first year of IISE membership?

My first year at IISE has seen many doors of opportunity open to me. I have made valuable connections and friends who have shared knowledge and tremendously contributed to the better understanding I have of industrial engineering now. Through IISE, I developed interest in health systems engineering and Six Sigma and got myself certified as a Six Sigma green belt.

Where did you first hear about IISE?

I first got to know about IISE through LinkedIn. IISE’s online presence lets the world know of the great work they do in spearheading growth and development in the IE profession. Learning that IISE was a home and a family where students, academicians and professionals in the field of industrial engineering were brought together to learn, help and develop each other, I set my mind on being part of the IISE family.

Why do you think Industrial and systems engineering is such an important profession right now?

Industrial and systems engineering is a versatile profession from both its nature of work and industries/organizations to which it applies – all this is possible due to the wide array of skills one gets equipped with in the profession. With the current rate of industrialization, especially for developing countries, competition is always breeding, and organizations are continuously looking for professionals who will refine and optimize their systems to be more efficient, effective and productive. This is what industrial and systems engineers are trained to do, and this is why they will be more in need than ever. Healthcare systems in Africa will also be looking at utilizing industrial engineering skills to solve their inefficiencies and improve their systems to better serve the growing population in need of healthcare.