Engineering school hosts experts in sustainable mobility, renewables, and technology
November 29, 2024, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): The Canadian University Dubai (CUD) School of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology has hosted the Third International Conference on Sustainable Mobility Applications, Renewables, and Technology (SMART2024), bringing together global experts to share their insights and advancements in the field. Featuring a diverse program of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and paper presentations, the event explored a wide spectrum of topics that will shape the future of sustainability, with emphasis on mobility, energy, and buildings.
Opening the three-day event, CUD President and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Karim Chelli, welcomed delegates, saying, “This conference stands as a reflection of what we value most at Canadian University Dubai: the pursuit of knowledge, the exchange of ideas, and the power of multidisciplinary research to drive transformative change. As an institution deeply rooted in the heart of this vibrant nation, CUD is proud to be a part of the UAE’s remarkable journey. Through its bold vision and strategic initiatives, the UAE has positioned itself not only as a hub for innovation, but also as a global engine for sustainable development.”
In conclusion, Prof. Chelli added, “This conference represents a unique opportunity to convene researchers, thought leaders, and industry pioneers, united by a shared determination to chart new paths toward a sustainable future. The dialogue and collaboration we cultivate here will not only generate ideas but also shape actionable frameworks and pioneering technologies that will indeed resonate on an international scale.”
Attracting over 80 presentations from 20 countries, the conference provided a platform for critical discussion around smart technology, including the need to advance sustainable energy systems to support green mobility solutions such as electric vehicles.
Dr. Sherif Moussa, Dean of CUD’s School of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, highlighted the important mission of the conference in his opening address, saying, “SMART2024 comes at a pivotal time when the transition to sustainable mobility is both a necessity and an opportunity. The clean air mandates for reducing greenhouse gas emissions require us to look beyond conventional solutions. Simply replacing conventional engines with electric vehicles is insufficient if those vehicles rely on electricity generated from fossil fuels. Instead, our challenge – and our opportunity – is to build a strong bond between mobility and green energy, ensuring that the energy driving our vehicles is as sustainable as the vehicles themselves.”
Keynote speakers at the conference included leading academics from Aalborg University, Denmark, University of Sheffield, UK, Zhejiang University, China, and German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany. Dr. Dima Jamali, CUD Vice President of Advancement, also delivered a keynote address titled, ‘Engineering a Sustainable Future: Innovations, Challenges, and Collective Responsibility’ in which she discussed the urgency of sustainable design thinking in engineering and emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in engineering education to prioritize sustainability.
The event concluded with an award ceremony for the best papers in electrical vehicles, renewable energy, sustainable design and modeling categories.
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