from KU Leuven

 27.05.2025 at 09:30 UTC+2
Keynote: “Combinatorial optimization: applications in Logistics”

Associate Professor at the CODeS research group, Department of Computer Science, KU Leuven

In 2012 Tony obtained a PhD in Engineering (Computer Science) at the KU Leuven, titled “Reinforcement learning enhanced heuristic search for combinatorial optimization”. He is active in the field of Combinatorial Optimization, and in particular Cutting & Packing. More specifically he develops novel (Hybrid) Algorithms to solve various challenging optimization problems. Currently he works as an Associate Professor at the CODeS research group, Department of Computer Science, KU Leuven.

Tony obtained several international challenge awards: META 2010 challenge, ICON Challenge on Forecasting and Scheduling 2014, VeRoLog solver challenge 2014 and the ESICUP challenge 2015. He was the organizer of the MISTA 2013 Challenge, and the 12th International Workshop on Cutting, Packing and Related Topics (September 2017), and the 37th ECCO Conference of the European Chapter on Combinatorial Optimization. He is currently the coordinator of the European Working Group on Cutting & Packing (ESICUP) and reviewer for various top journals within his research field.

from Eutraco

  27.05.2025 at 10:15 UTC+2
Keynote: “How to Build a Business in Carbon-Neutral Logistics”

CEO / Owner of EUTRACO

Serge Gregoir has extensive years of experience in the logistics industry and held leadership positions in companies such as DHL Freight and Ewals Cargo Care.

In 2017, Serge Gregoir came on board as CEO of EUTRACO and led an ambitious master plan for growth for the future. In June 2020, the Pattyn family sold its business to Gregoir.

EUTRACO evolves from a transportation company to a one-stop-shop service provider. It solves your logistics challenges … #everyMileASmile. With their 500.000 SQM of warehousing, a truck fleet of 420 units, air & ocean freight solutions and an inhouse customs agency they have all required expertise to deliver a true one-stop-shop experience.

EUTRACO aims to become a Top 3 logistics service provider in Belgium.

from Flemish Innovation Cluster for Logistics

  28.05.2025 at 9:00 UTC+2
Keynote: “The Future of Collaboration in Logistics: Leveraging Technology for Efficient and Sustainable Supply Chains”

Project Leader, VIL (Flemish Innovation Cluster for Logistics)

Dirk Staelens is an expert in logistics, fleet management, and transport innovation, currently serving as a Project Leader at VIL. With over 30 years of experience in transport management, truck and trailer telematics, product management, and operational leadership, he plays a pivotal role in driving digital transformation in logistics.

He holds a Master’s degree in Electronics from the Katholieke Industriële Hogeschool Oostende (1991) and has held senior roles at leading transport technology companies such as Transics, Wabco, and ZF.

At VIL, Dirk leads cutting-edge innovation projects focused on automation, digitalization, and data-driven decision-making in logistics. Notable initiatives under his leadership include:

• Gateway2Britain – a data-sharing platform optimizing freight flows between Flanders and the UK.
• SYTADEL – a pioneering project developing a prototype logistics data space in Flanders.
• AUTOSUP – a Horizon Europe project designing a Decision Support System (DSS) to guide automation and investment in logistics hubs.

Through these projects, Dirk is actively shaping the future of smart, connected, and efficient logistics.

from Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture

 28.05.2025 at 09:45 UTС+2
Keynote: “Thinking SMART Project Management Based on the TRIZ Principles in an AI Environment.”

Professor Dr. Sergiy D. Bushuyev – Professor and Head of the Project Management Department at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, founder and President of Ukrainian Project Management Association (UPMA), IPMA Honorary Member.

Professor Dr. Sergiy D. Bushuyev is a distinguished academic and practitioner in the field of project management and information technology, with a career spanning several decades. He is deeply committed to advancing education and research in project management, leaving a lasting impact both in Ukraine and globally.

Dr. Bushuyev earned his Ph.D. in Computer Sciences of Project Management from the Kyiv Civil Engineering Institute in 1973. In 1986, he defended his Doctor of Science (Dr.Sc.) degree (habilitation) and was appointed Professor and Head of the Project Management Department at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. His leadership has been instrumental in enhancing project management education and practice. In 1991, he founded the Ukrainian Project Management Association (UPMA) and has since served as its President, significantly contributing to the development of project management standards and competencies in the region. He is an IPMA Honorary Member.

With a prolific academic career, Dr. Bushuyev has authored over 200 scientific books and articles, focusing on strategic project management and organizational development. His recent contributions include co-editing the book Project Management in the Digital Transformation Era, which compiles proceedings from the 32nd World Congress of the International Project Management Association (IPMA). This work highlights his dedication to integrating contemporary practices and technologies into project management, reflecting the field’s evolution in the digital age and Artificial Intelligence. In 2025, he was an IPMA Research Award Winner. 

Beyond his academic roles, Dr. Bushuyev is actively involved in professional communities. He serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Project Management and contributes to various national and international journals, shaping global discourse on project management practices. His mentorship has also been remarkable, having supervised 20 Doctor of Science candidates and over 60 Ph.D. students, fostering the next generation of experts in the field. His expertise and leadership continue to influence the evolving landscape of project management worldwide.

from HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

 27.05.2025 at 11:30 UTC+2
Workshop/World Cafe “How do cities reflect different DEI topics for quality of life”

 28.05.2025 at 16:00 UTC+2
Writing a Quality of Life Research Agenda…

Beverly Pasian’s career is one of a project management practitioner and researcher. For more than 30 years she has managed, taught and conducted research in the public sector around the world. She has dozens of courses, papers and presentations to her credit along with two master’s degrees (in education and business) and two doctorates (in Project Management (2011) and Business Administration (2023)). A few notable books focus on responsible project management (2022), research methods (2023) and female leadership (2023).

Working with the global team at IIBS is an ongoing highlight of her career with her work on multiple bachelor and masters-level course teams, examination boards and the university privacy committee. Support of institute management has also allowed her to broaden her professional scope even further as she pivots her research focus from project management maturity to smart cities. Investigating the role of projects in maximizing quality of life in smart cities is the most responsible step has taken as a researcher… with the ultimate goal of working directly with companies and cities to do the same.

A citizen of both Canada and Ireland, Beverly is currently active in a global network of smart city projects in Australia, Canada and across the European Union. Expert and leadership participation in professional associations are ongoing including as the Conference Series Chair of the European Technology & Engineering Management Summit (etems.digital).

from KU Leuven

 27.05.2025 at 15:45, 28.05.2025 at 11:00 and 13:30 UTC+2
Doctoral Workshop

Wim Van Petegem holds an MSc degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ghent (Belgium), an MSc degree in Biomedical Engineering from the KU Leuven (Belgium) and a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from KU Leuven (1993). He worked at the University of Alberta, Edmonton (Canada), at the Open University of the Netherlands and at the Leuven University College (Belgium). From 2001 till 2012 he was the head of the Media and Learning Center and later he became Director of the Teaching and Learning Department at KU Leuven (Belgium). Currently he is Professor at the Faculty of Engineering Technology at KU Leuven. His research interests are in learning technologies, instructional design, engineering education, and digital scholarship. He and his team are involved as contractor, partner, coordinator, expert, or evaluator in many research, implementation and development projects. He is teaching several courses in engineering topics, where he implements innovative approaches of teaching and learning. He is a regular panel member of review committees to assess quality of education in Flanders and the Netherlands. He is heavily engaged in development cooperation projects in the Global South and he is actively involved in different international networks of universities like SEFI, MEDEA, and EDEN. He gives regularly trainings all over the world on innovation in education and digital competences for teachers and professional support staff.

from KU Leuven

 27.05.2025 at 15:45, 28.05.2025 at 11:00 and 13:30 UTC+2
Doctoral Workshop

Patrick Vandewalle received a MSc degree in electrical engineering from KU Leuven, and a PhD degree from EPFL on super-resolution imaging. From 2007 to 2018, he worked at Philips Research as a senior research scientist. He is now an associate professor at KU Leuven. His current research in the EAVISE research group focuses on 3D data processing, reconstruction, AR/VR and computational imaging.