Power electronics lies at the heart of today’s most pressing global challenges: renewable energy integration, electrified transportation, efficient computing, and sustainable decarbonized power systems. Yet, for many institutions—particularly those that are under-resourced—hands-on education remains out of reach. Building and maintaining conventional laboratories demands expensive infrastructure and dedicated staff, placing opportunities beyond the reach of countless students worldwide.
To bridge this gap, the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) launched the University Lab Kit Initiative—a modern, affordable, and flexible platform for experiential learning in power electronics, as shown in Figure 1. In 2025, the program achieved a significant milestone as 11 universities across five continents began beta testing the kits. By lowering barriers and expanding access, this initiative is preparing a globally connected workforce in power electronics. This initiative was led by the IEEE PELS University Lab Kit Committee, chaired by the author.
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