SuTra 2024 Concludes: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Transportation Future

From September 26 to 28, 2024, in the beautiful setting of Sveti Martin na Muri, the 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Transport – SuTra 2024 – was held.
The event, organized by the Department for Logistics and Sustainable Mobility at the University North and the Faculty of Maritime Studies at the University of Rijeka, brought together more than 150 domestic and international experts in the fields of transport, logistics, urban planning, and related disciplines. Over three days of intense discussions, presentations, and panel sessions, key aspects of sustainable mobility were explored.

Opening Ceremony: Shared Goals of Education and the Profession

The conference was officially opened with welcome speeches by the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs at the University North, Assoc. Prof. Vlado Tropša, Ph.D., and the Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies at the University of Rijeka, Prof. Ana Perić Hadžić, Ph.D. Representing the Rector of University North, Prof. Marin Milković, Ph.D., Vice-Rector Tropša emphasized that active participation in such events is essential for University North.
“Tracking innovations and changes in the profession, as showcased in conferences like this, allows us to implement these developments into our teaching process, thereby raising the quality of education for our students and advancing the profession regionally and internationally,” stated Vice-Rector Tropša.

Dean Perić Hadžić stressed the importance of connecting industry and educational institutions to find sustainable solutions that contribute to the development of transport and infrastructure. She highlighted that events like this not only create a platform for knowledge exchange but also foster networking among experts, encouraging collaborative efforts to address modern transportation challenges.

The attendees were also greeted by Rudi Grula, Director of the Tourist Board of Međimurje County, and Josip Grivec, Deputy Prefect of Međimurje County, both of whom played a significant role in supporting the organization of this event.

Diverse Program: Discussions, Presentations, and Panel Sessions

Building on the success of the first edition held in 2022 in Opatija, SuTra 2024 offered a rich and diverse program that included eight thematic sessions, four panel discussions, and two keynote presentations. Topics ranged from the collaboration between local authorities and institutions on improving traffic safety and sustainable infrastructure development to the role of rural mobility in supporting rural tourism, and the impact of generative artificial intelligence on transportation systems.

Key themes such as sustainable transport, smart cities, maritime and land transport, as well as air, rail, and road transportation, were at the heart of engaging discussions throughout the conference. Of particular interest was a panel on the opportunities for collaboration between higher education institutions through the Civitas program, which brings together educational institutions and professionals to improve knowledge and practices in the field of sustainable mobility.

As part of the conference, renowned international experts Sergio A. Useche and Stephanie E. Trpkov delivered two keynote speeches. Additionally, there was a book launch for “Energy Transition – The Hydrogen Paradigm”, authored by Darko Pavlović and Melita Srpak. In the context of European policies and global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this book provides a valuable contribution to understanding the potential of hydrogen technologies as solutions for the future.

Global Perspective, Local Solutions: The Importance of Multidisciplinary Collaboration

One of the key messages of the SuTra 2024 conference was the importance of collaboration between different disciplines and sectors in order to develop and implement sustainable transportation solutions successfully. Experts agreed that solutions in the transport sector must be integrated with urban planning, environmental protection, and social development. Only through joint efforts, experience-sharing, and continuous research can strategies be created that meet current needs while ensuring sustainable development for future generations.

The SuTra conference has already become a recognized platform for discussing transport issues and exchanging ideas among professionals. Through this conference, University North and the Faculty of Maritime Studies at the University of Rijeka continue their commitment to advancing the profession and strengthening cooperation between the academic community, industry, and public institutions.

Additionally, the conference was attended by University North’s Vice-Rectors, Prof. Anica Hunjet, Ph.D., and Prof. Goran Kozina, Ph.D., as well as the Faculty of Maritime Studies’ Vice-Deans, Assoc. Prof. David Brčić, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Srđan Žuškin, Ph.D., and Prof. Edvard Tijan, Ph.D. Heads of departments and divisions at University North also attended, including Prof. Krešimir Buntak, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Predrag Brlek, Ph.D., Prof. Dinko Primorac, Ph.D., and Assoc. Prof. Tomislav Veliki, Ph.D.

Program Announcement for SuTra 2024

We are excited to announce that the official program for the SuTra 2024 International Conference on Sustainable Transport is now available! Taking place from September 26-28, 2024 at Terme Sveti Martin, Croatia, this prestigious event will bring together leading experts, researchers, and professionals from around the world to explore innovative solutions in sustainable mobility.

Organized by University North and Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka, the conference will feature a range of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focusing on the latest trends and challenges in the field of transport sustainability. Participants will also have the opportunity to network and exchange ideas on how to drive the future of sustainable transportation.

We look forward to welcoming you to this inspiring event!

Keynote speaker: Stephanie E. Trpkov, Agrodox Ltd.

We are proud to announce our second keynote speaker Stephanie E. Trpkov from Agrodox Ltd. with her lecture “Value chain redesign as a means of decarbonising the transport sector”

Comprehensive policies like the European Green Deal, the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, and the Fit for 55 package have laid the groundwork for decarbonising the transport sector. The targets set by the policies such as reducing GHG emissions from transport by 90% by 2050and achieving a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions for new cars and vans by 2035 are ambitious.

Businesses and investors are called upon to work with policy makers, academia and civil society to implement the needed changes. Are the stakeholders on the same page? The keynote will examine the issue of sectoral decarbonisation from a business perspective. It would highlight challenges and opportunities as well as present specific ways by which redesigning the value chain could significantly accelerate the green transition and support the achievement of the overarching climate goals, while maintaining or enhancing industry competitiveness.

Stephanie E. Trpkov is a serial entrepreneur and business strategist with 18 years industry experience driving decarbonisation and Smart City projects across the CEE region. She has founded several companies, the latest being Agrodox® Ltd. with partner, the climate-smart trading platform for green commodities that integrates data analytics, carbon offsetting, smart contracts and AI.

Stephanie E. Trpkov is an Executive MBA holder and currently researching the ways decarbonisation can be accelerated to create value in heavy industries as part of her doctorate. She is an alumnus of the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership (CISL), a longstanding member of the UNECE team of specialists on innovation and competitiveness policies, and also served as an expert contributor to the Sustainable Urban Mobility Action Cluster of the European Innovation Partnership for Smart Cities and Communities, fostered by DG-MOVE.

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