b'Member News July 2020 11IET@150the globemaking an ongoing difference to the world around us. Just as in Victorian times, society today still depends on theOur 150th anniversary gives us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate skills and innovation of engineers andour rich history. We want to use it to engage and inspire young technologists to improve our world and make it more sustainable. people so that engineering and technology are seen as a force for good and key to solving many of the biggest challenges facing our world. This seems particularly relevant with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, where we know that there are engineers and innovators making a real difference.This is an ambitious set of plans whichand we look forward to sharing more will really push beyond the boundarieswith you in the coming months.of anything weve ever done before, To find out more about our anniversary plans and how you can get involved, visit theiet.org/150and follow us on social media for the latest updates.@TheIET /school/iet /theInstitutionofEngineeringandTechnologyFrom the PresidentWhen the last edition of Member News was published it was inconceivable to think how COVID-19 would affect our lives and livelihoods. Since the pandemic first started, the engineering and technology community has had a vital role to play in responding to one of the greatest challenges of our time and helping to define how we live our lives, both now and in the future.There is a dedicated section onengaged in a wide range of policy our website: theiet.org/covid19areas, bringing together impartial, to signpost members to the manyexpert advice to work together with requests coming in from GovernmentGovernment and industry bodies.and available resources. Over theI want to build on the positive past few months we have sharedresponse weve had so far by launching ways in which our members can helpthe Presidents Challengean to combat COVID-19. I am proud ofassignment for our Committees andin by 31 July 2020. For more details, how so many of our members havemembers to come up with the bestvisit: theiet.org/presidents-challengetaken the opportunity to get involved,ideas on how technology can help share ideas, offer support and mobiliseto unlock the lockdown and get theAs a mission-led organisation, we want activities in response to the pandemic. nation back to work and school safely. to achieve social impact by focusing on The IET is a diverse, multidisciplinaryhow we can make a positive difference. From thinking about our Digital FutureWe have an opportunity to re-imagine professional home for engineeringand the technology required to reducethe world around us and create and technology and our greatestthe need for people to touch physicalsolutions that contribute to a healthy strength is in working collaboratively,objects, to using technology to changeand happy society.utilising our extensive knowledgethe way in which we commute, not only and experience to find solutions thatto minimise risk, but also contributingDr Peter Bonfield OBE,support society. As a professionaltowards a more sustainable planet;FREng BSc MSc PhD CEng FIET engineering institution, we are activelywhatever your idea, please send themIET President'