By Dr. Thien Yee Von (TARUMT)

The “Hi-Tea with IEEE DEIS Malaysia: Connect, Learn & Share” programme was successfully organised on 5 December 2025 by the IEEE Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Society (DEIS) Malaysia Chapter in collaboration with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam. The programme was also co-organised and sponsored by IEEE Young Professionals (YP) Malaysia under the Local Activity initiative, further strengthening professional engagement for early-career engineers and students. Overall, the event gathered 65 participants, consisting of 40 IEEE members + UiTM students, and 107 online participants who joined virtually.

The programme began at 8:00 AM with registration at the faculty lobby, where participants took the opportunity to mingle and build connections. Official proceedings started at 9:00 AM with an introduction to IEEE DEIS delivered by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Norhafiz Azis, Chair of IEEE DEIS Malaysia, who highlighted the society’s mission, benefits, and the importance of member participation in high voltage and insulation engineering activities.

From 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, the first technical session was presented by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Yousof and Mohd Fairouz, focusing on High Voltage Partial Discharge. Participants gained valuable insights into PD fundamentals, diagnostic practices, and applications in power system asset management. This was followed by a second technical session from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM on Introduction to Lightning Detection System, delivered by Ir. Ts. Dr. Wooi Chin Leong, who shared his expertise on lightning detection networks, principles of operation, and reliability considerations.

At 11:30 AM, the event featured the IEEE DEIS Malaysia Excellence in Engineering Award 2025, recognising achievements in high voltage and insulation engineering. A photo session was held at 12:00 PM with all attendees dressed in DEIS T-shirts, followed by lunch and networking for registered participants.

The afternoon session commenced at 2:30 PM with a guided visit to the UiTM High Voltage Laboratory. Attendees were introduced to high voltage testing systems, equipment, and research facilities. The visit concluded with a discussion session that encouraged students to explore research opportunities and interact with technical experts.

The programme was honoured by the attendance of several VIPs, including Ir. Dr. Marianah Masrie and Ir. Ts. Dr. Maizatul Zolkapli, Advisors of IEEE UiTM Student Branch; Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Nur Ashida Salim, Deputy Dean (Student Affairs), Faculty of Electrical Engineering; and Mohd Danial Bin Mohd Johari, Penolong Jurutera, Faculty of Electrical Engineering. Their presence and support contributed significantly to the success of the event.

In summary, the “Hi-Tea with IEEE DEIS Malaysia: Connect, Learn & Share” programme proudly supported by IEEE Young Professionals Malaysia successfully met its objectives of advancing technical knowledge, fostering professional connections, and enhancing collaboration between academia and the IEEE community. The event concluded at 4:00 PM with positive feedback from both physical and online participants, reaffirming strong interest in future IEEE DEIS and YP activities.