Keynote Speakers

Prof. Sami Kara

Sami Kara is Professor of Sustainable Manufacturing and Life Cycle Engineering at UNSW Sydney and Director of its Vertically Integrated Projects Program, boasting over 30 years of industry, research and tertiary education experience across Australia and the globe. His research focuses on life cycle-based tech solutions via circular economy strategies to decarbonize manufacturing, cut environmental impacts and create industrial value. He acts as a subject matter expert for Australian and international government decarbonization proposals, advises global organizations on net-zero roadmaps, and serves as Vice-President of CIRP, with over 300 peer-reviewed publications. Renowned for innovative teaching, he has won numerous teaching awards. He is an elected fellow of CIRP, FRSN, UNSW Scienta Education Academy, AET and ACATECH.

Prof. Joost Duflou

Joost Duflou is Full Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department of KU Leuven. With prior international industrial experience, he has been on the university’s faculty since 1997 and became a tenured Full Professor in 2012. His principal research activities focus on design support methods and methodologies, with special attention for Ecodesign and Life Cycle Engineering, and Sustainable Manufacturing. As the LVD Chair on Sheet Metal Processing, he leads a dedicated research group and supervises KULeuven FabLab. A CIRP Fellow, he has over 200 international publications and serves as chair and boardmember of several spin-off companies and professional associations, contributing to research valorisation and dissemination.

Prof. Paul Mativenga

Prof. Paul Mativenga is a Chair in Multiscale & Sustainable Manufacturing at The University of Manchester, having joined the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 2002. He holds a PhD and an MSc in Manufacturing Engineering and related fields from The University of Liverpool, UK. His research focuses on manufacturing technologies, including machining science, micro manufacturing and laser processing, as well as sustainable manufacturing, with the goal of balancing industrial competitiveness and environmental friendliness. He is a Member of CIRP. Additionally, he leads Social Responsibility and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, driving the university’s social and industrial impact.