EMPOWERING EDUCATION: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FOUNDATION OF IEEE BRANCH IN THE EDUCATIONAL CONTEXT OF ENGINEERING COURSES AT IFBA - VITÓRIA DA CONQUISTA CAMPUS

University extension practices play a crucial role in Brazilian higher education, promoting the professional and social training of students. In the context of the IEEE Branch of IFBA - Campus Vitória da Conquista, we highlight extension activities that seek to offer excellent training to engineering students, enabling them to face the challenges of the labor market and boosting regional technological development. These practices go beyond theory, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real situations, encouraging meaningful learning and engagement with community needs. The methodology adopted for the present research is qualitative-quantitative, aiming to analyze the results and impacts of the activities carried out by the branch since its foundation, especially focused on the influence on the academic training of the members. The activities developed by the IEEE IFBA Branch have achieved significant results, evidenced by a significant adherence of the internal and external public to the Federal Institute of Bahia. The engagement and participation in events promoted by the Branch have been remarkable, reflecting a growing interest on the part of students in seeking knowledge and living relevant experiences in their areas of study. The results reinforce the importance of these institutional practices for the professional and social improvement of students, recognizing the relevance of extension activities and seeking partnerships and public policies to strengthen them are crucial actions to promote social change and enrich the training of students, consolidating the commitment of the educational institution to the transformation of society and local development, benefiting both students and the community in general.