Prof. Uday Kumar is the Chair Professor of Operation and Maintenance Engineering and Director of the Luleå Railway Research Center at Luleå University of Technology (JVTC). With over 30 years of experience, he has held esteemed academic positions globally, including at Imperial College London and Tsinghua University. Prof. Kumar has significantly contributed to the field of maintenance engineering, authoring over 350 papers and several books, and serving as Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of System Assurance and Management.

His advisory roles span across major industrial projects, including Chinese High-Speed Trains and Coal India Ltd, and he has been a key figure in EU framework programs. Prof. Kumar has also been involved in numerous international delegations and served on various prestigious boards, including the Luleå University Management Board and the National Swedish Maintenance Society.

Recognized for his impactful work, he has received numerous awards, such as the Nordea Science Foundation Award and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT BHU India. Prof. Kumar is a Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA).