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The Qatar News Agency reported on October 22 that the conference, held at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, convened global researchers, engineers and industry experts to discuss breakthroughs in industrial electronics. Topics spanned power electronics, renewable energy integration, smart grids, robotics, cybersecurity and applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing. Dr Eyad Ahmad Masad, vice-president for research at HBKU, said the event highlighted the vital connection between scientific progress and real-world industrial applications.
According to the same report, Dr Mounir Hamdi, dean of the College of Science and Engineering at HBKU, described the hosting as a reflection of the university’s dedication to tackling contemporary challenges through research excellence and international collaboration. The program incorporated keynote lectures, technical sessions, special sessions, tutorials, workshops and industry panels, with options for both physical attendance and virtual participation via an online platform. This structure facilitated wider knowledge exchange among participants from diverse geographical backgrounds.
The conference co-chairs comprised Prof Sertac Bayhan and Distinguished Prof Haitham Abu-Rub from HBKU, alongside Prof Mariusz Malinowski of Warsaw University of Technology and Prof Erchin Serpedin from Texas A&M University at Qatar, a Gulf Times report indicated. Keynotes included presentations on cyber-physical systems by Prof Xiaohong Guan of Xian Jiaotong University and next-generation grid architectures by Prof Maryam Saeedifard. Gulf Times coverage noted that the gathering underscored Qatar’s expanding footprint in research, innovation and international scientific partnerships.
Organizers indicated that the nearly 2,000 paper submissions demonstrated robust interest from the global industrial electronics community despite logistical challenges in assembling the program. The event marked the debut of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society’s premier annual conference in the Middle East and Africa region after 51 previous editions held elsewhere, according to the IECON 2026 website. Sessions addressed emerging areas such as digital twins, Industry 5.0 and communications for factory automation.
A review of the conference website shows the hybrid model was designed to maximize accessibility and foster multidisciplinary discussions on smart energy systems and related fields. Participants examined not only theoretical findings but also their potential deployment in industrial settings to support sustainability objectives. The focus aligns with broader efforts in Qatar to advance technological capabilities and economic diversification through academic-industry linkages.
