From Factory Floor to Global Chair: IEEE Industrial Electronics Society President Gao Huijun

He spent his days grinding metal and his nights grinding through textbooks. According to SCMP, Gao Huijun, a former factory worker who taught himself engineering, has been elected as the new head of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES). Born to farmworkers, Gao’s ascent marks the first time a scholar from mainland China will lead this prestigious organization since its founding in 1951.

IEEE Industrial Electronics Society President Gao Huijun's Remarkable Journey

Gao, currently a professor at the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), started from humble beginnings in Jixian county. He left home at 15 to attend a technical secondary school and graduated in 1995. While working as a factory machinist, he earned an associate degree and later his bachelor's in 1997 through rigorous self-study.

A Symbol of Persistence in Global STEM

The IEEE is a massive global network with over 400,000 members across 160 countries. Gao’s leadership isn't just a personal win; it's a testament to the diversification of global academic leadership. Despite starting with limited English and math skills, his determination to bridge the gap has made him a main figure in the industrial electronics field, inspiring a new generation of self-taught engineers.