Dr. Houda CHIHI is a telecommunications researcher whose work focuses on connectivity, innovation, and real-world impact. She earned her PhD at Innov’COM Lab of Sup’COM Tunisia and has since broadened her experience through international fellowships, including TechWomen (Qualcomm) and the Eugen Ionescu postdoctoral program at POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest. Her academic journey reflects a continuous commitment to learning, collaboration, and staying engaged with evolving developments in the field.
In this interview, Dr. CHIHI shares insights into her career path, the experiences that have shaped her perspective, and her vision for contributing to a more connected, secure, and sustainable digital future.
What sparked your interest in telecommunications and led you to pursue a PhD in this field?
“From my childhood, I have had a passion for technology, and I have always been curious about discovering new things and understanding how communication among devices is performed. I believe that telecommunications is an inspiring field given the relationship between the need for connectivity, which has recently been recognized as a human right, and the growing dependence of services on high internet speeds. In this context, I felt that I could make an impact by pursuing a research journey through my thesis and contributing to the tech world.”
How have your experiences at Innov’COM Lab (Sup’COM Tunisia), TechWomen (Qualcomm), and the Eugen Ionescu fellowship shaped your career and research outlook?
“I did my PhD at the Innov’COM Lab of Sup’COM Tunisia. As technology is continuously evolving, I needed a network to stay updated and to provide feasible solutions. For this reason, I applied to the TechWomen program in 2019, which was an amazing experience that gave me the chance to connect with and learn from champions leading major companies such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Qualcomm, and Salesforce. To further update my skills, I participated in the Eugen Ionescu postdoctoral program at POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest, where I had the opportunity to visit leading research labs and connect with experts in telecommunications.”
What have been some of the key challenges in your academic and research journey, and how did you overcome them?
“The biggest challenge in research is related to time management, as we have different research articles that must be submitted according to specific deadlines. To succeed in my research journey, I try to set priorities and focus on submitting articles that help me achieve my goals, whether that is thesis defense or research validation visits.”
In your view, what role does telecommunications research play in solving real-world challenges today?
“Well, continuous telecommunications research helps improve quality of life by providing efficient and advanced solutions that consider the human in the loop while supporting the artificial intelligence revolution.”
What are your future goals, and how do you hope to contribute to research, innovation, or collaboration in your field?
“Great question. Following the rapid revolution in artificial intelligence, we must learn and acquire the required skills in this field; otherwise, we cannot provide advanced research solutions that meet business needs. I am trying to develop autonomous solutions while considering both cybersecurity and sustainability to minimize manual tasks and benefit from AI integration in the workspace.”
Advancing Innovation Today
Dr. Houda CHIHI’s journey reflects a strong commitment to advancing telecommunications research while embracing innovation and continuous learning. Her work highlights the importance of building resilient, efficient, and inclusive digital systems that respond to the growing demands of a connected world.
By focusing on solutions that integrate artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainability, her perspective aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, which promotes the development of reliable infrastructure, fosters innovation, and supports technological progress. Through her research and international collaborations, she contributes to shaping a future where connectivity is more advanced, secure, accessible, and sustainable for all.
Learn more about her work here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-houda-chihi-phd-in-telecommunication-2a295021/
