Name: Mourad Hedna
Nationality: Swedish & Algerian
Highest Academic Degree: Engineer in Aerospace, Engines and Petroleum
Institution / University: High Engineering French School of Aerospace & French Institute of
Petroleum
Professional Career
With 25 years of global leadership in the automotive and commercial vehicle industries, I’ve held senior roles at Volvo Group, Renault Trucks, Mack Trucks, UD Trucks (formerly Nissan Diesel), and Isuzu Motors. With deep expertise across the full automotive value chain, including technology development, strategic sourcing, corporate strategy, and P&L management. Over the past decade, I’ve focused on driving commercial vehicle sales & distribution growth with market expansion across the Middle East and Africa.
Research Interest
- Automotive and commercial vehicles technology and business model disruptions, CO2 emission for Electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and any sort of hybrids.
- UAE and Middle East eco system, related to oil and alternative fuels, economics and policy.
- Total cost of ownership of customers. Sustainability and Business case viability for users, manufacturers, distributors and policy makers.
Research Specialty
Sustainability has become a top priority for businesses worldwide, especially in the automotive and transportation sectors, where significant efforts have already been made—and much more will be required—to meet decarbonization goals and reduce vehicle emissions. The challenge is even more important in the trucking industry, due to operational demands and infrastructure limitations and business case viability as it is a B2B. These challenges are different from region to region and from segment to segment and can not be addressed in a generic way. I am particularly interested in exploring the barriers and enablers to the mass adoption of greener solutions in specific truck segments across the Middle East region. My focus will include a full well-to- wheel CO₂ emissions analysis of different options and a comprehensive assessment of the total cost of ownership to identify practical, scalable pathways toward sustainable transport in the region
Statement of Motivation for a DBA
The transport sector plays a critical role in driving economic growth and prosperity. My goal is to support its transformation by addressing environmental sustainability challenges in the Middle East region, while ensuring viable business models for users.
I’m inspired by the opportunity to bridge academia and industry, fostering collaboration among companies, universities, and policymakers to develop solutions that align with the region’s unique ecosystem and sustainability goals
