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LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., 25 February 2026 – The IEEE Computer Society (CS) announced today the formation of the IEEE CS Software Professional Level 1 Certification. Based on key foundational elements of software engineering, IEEE CS leaders designed the certification to validate a fundamental understanding of core software engineering principles, establishing a baseline in the job market.As the industry evolves, the need for reliable talent becomes critical. “Software engineers are in high demand, and hiring organizations want to ensure that they bring in the right candidates for the work they need done,” said Grace A. Lewis, 2026 President, IEEE CS. “With the impact AI is having on the computing landscape, we need to have a thoughtful standard by which to assess a candidate’s ability to apply solid software engineering principles and practices to develop software systems, including those that integrate AI components. The IEEE CS Software Professional Certification will solve for that by introducing a consistent way for organizations to recognize proficiency.”Through the certification, IEEE CS will establish a common knowledge base across the field, both addressing today’s interconnected computing architecture and also supporting the advancement of a rapidly evolving industry. Specifically, the program will delve into the education necessary for software engineers to master the specific knowledge areas addressed via foundational elements today—with plans for the program to adapt in lockstep with the evolution of the field.“As AI changes the computing landscape, software engineers themselves are seeking a solid guide for their career journeys,” said Lewis. “Now, the certification bolsters that support, providing necessary background knowledge to ensure mastery of key topics and offering consistency across industry, academia, and throughout the broader community, even as the field continues to evolve.”The IEEE CS Software Professional - Level 1 Certification assesses principles across 17 online modules, including software requirements; software design; software…

Implementing sustainable practices at a conference can be challenging, especially without sacrificing attendees' comfort and experience. People yearn for genuine, rewarding interactions with others, the opportunity to participateIEEE Local Computer Networks (LCN) took the sustainability challenge head-on with its 2025 conference in Sydney, Australia. The IEEE LCN conference leads the way in theoretical and practical applications of computer networking. The LCN conference is known as a hub for impactful exchanges of ideas between researchers and product developers.Organizers had to learn how to provide fulfilling experiences for attendees without sacrificing sustainability principles.LCN 2025’s Approach to Building Sustainable Experiences: Impact and VisibilityThe LCN 2025 team leaned into sustainability by focusing on a simple, high-level goal: Create a sustainable experience that was both impactful and visible.The team built its initiative using the IEEE Computer Society sustainability checklist. Organizers also coordinated their efforts with the Media Chair, Local Chairs, and the to pinpoint the most impactful, yet feasible, strategies.The team implemented two measures: a sustainable lunch and remote participation.Sustainable LunchTo reduce the food-related emissions, the conference provided all participants with high-quality vegetarian lunches. In addition to shrinking the conference’s carbon footprint, the meals accommodated the diverse dietary requirements of attendees.The team also negotiated with the venue’s team to ensure participants could use reusable tableware, reducing waste and preventing a variety of single-use plastics from heading to local landfills.Remote ParticipationTo reduce the significant carbon footprint from participants traveling to and from the conference, IEEE LCN offered virtual presentation and attendance options. This met the needs of both authors and attendees because they could engage with others without having to travel to Sydney.Providing remote participation opportunities also made the conference more inclusive. Even those who could not afford a pricey ticket to Sydney could connect from the comfort of their homes. Also, presenters did not have…

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Brasilia (UnB), Brazil, brought together 160 middle and high school girls and 30 female undergraduate volunteers around computing, robotics, and AI. The event was a huge success, inspiring new ways of thinking and career possibilities in the participants.Building Future Pathways to ComputingOne of the most significant successes of the program was the way it carved new pathways to computing careers for the girls who participated. The program began by bridging what’s often a stubborn gap — the gulf between young learners and university — by teaching them about the six undergraduate programs at UnB: Software Engineering Computer Science Computer Engineering Mechatronics Engineering Data Communication Engineering Computing Education (teacher preparation for K–12) This demystified computing degrees for girls in tech. It also helped the students understand the diversity of technology careers and that nothing is beyond their reach.The event put the responsibility of leading the girls completely in the hands of female undergraduate students and alumnae. This gave them clear role models they could look up to and emulate, further underscoring the important role of women in computing.In this way, the program held a mirror up to the girls in attendance, ensuring their vision of the future included faces like their own.  Establishing Computing Foundations Using Hands-On LearningGirls.comp Day’s crowning achievement was the way it built a solid computing foundation in students who have limited exposure to these kinds of opportunities. The secret to success was interactive, hands-on learning. Each session struck a balance between creativity, intellectual challenges, and fun.Robotics: Learning Programming While Building a RobotEvery student got a chance to see an inanimate creation come to “life” through programming. The star of the show was Ardunina, a 3D-printed robot powered by its namesake, Arduino.The girls built Ardunina out of 3D-printed and…