Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Princess and Prince Daniel of Sweden visited Cranfield University today [1 December 2023] to see the latest developments in sustainable transport solutions, as part of their official visit to the UK. The visit included a Business Sweden industry showcase and an executive roundtable discussion on the future of transport with academic experts and UK and Swedish business leaders.
Andreas Carlson, Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure and Housing and His Excellency Stefan Gullgren, Ambassador of Sweden, were also in attendance along with Lord Byron Davies of Gower, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Transport.
Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed to the county by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada, and to the Cranfield campus by Professor Dame Helen Atkinson DBE FREng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing.
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, said: “I was very proud to welcome Their Royal Highnesses to Cranfield University today and to showcase the amazing research and teaching that takes place here. Cranfield is a global leader in sustainable transport, aviation and aerospace and it is a badge of pride to have this very special university in our county.”
Their Royal Highnesses visited Cranfield’s world-leading Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC) and boarded the flying classroom, a Saab 340B which brings aerospace theory to life for thousands of students across the UK each year.
A showcase of Swedish solutions for sustainable transport followed, with involvement from Einride, Scania, Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses. Delegates also visited Cranfield’s digital air traffic control centre, which was the first of its kind in the UK and which was supplied by Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions.
An executive roundtable discussion on the future of sustainability in transport solutions was hosted by Professor Anna Smallwood, Head of Centre for Air Transport Management at Cranfield University. With involvement from UK and Swedish business leaders and policy makers, the discussion centred around creating a sustainable transport ecosystem, supporting innovation and developments, and what businesses need from policy makers to do more.
Professor Dame Helen Atkinson said: “It was truly a pleasure to host Their Royal Highnesses at Cranfield today along with distinguished visitors and many key industry leaders from Swedish businesses.
“It illustrates how Cranfield University is a key convenor, bringing together industry, academia, government, and amazing ideas – all to drive a sustainable future.”
