Birmingham Railway Centre signs Memorandum of Understanding with Land Transport Authority (LTA)

The University of Birmingham and Land Transport Authority (LTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday 1 June 2016 to formalise links for future research and educational collaborations.

The signing was witnessed by Professor Andy Schofield, Head of the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham, along with LTA delegates, led by Mr Chua Kheng, Dean of the Singapore Rail Academy (SGRA) and Deputy Chief Executive, Infrastructure and Development of the LTA, Professor Cham Tao Soon, Head of Delegation and Chairman, Singapore Rail Academy Board, Mr Looi Teik Soon, Executive Director, SGRA, Mr Yee Boon Cheow, Director of Rail Systems, LTA, who were accompanied by Mr Joel Teo, Manager, Future Mobility, LTA.

The three-year MoU will serve as a platform for future international collaborations with the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) at the University of Birmingham. 

LTA discussed future plans for research, the development and adoption of new technologies, as well as collaboration in education and training. LTA is planning 50% growth in the number of engineers employed by the company over the next 15 years and the steady state recruitment of 600 technicians and engineers each year. They also described the role and scope of the newly launched Singapore Rail Academy. The visitors highlighted the strong desire of Singapore to adopt strategies that lead to a green economy.

After signing the MoU, Professor Felix Schmid, Director of Education, Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education, said:

“It is a pleasure to talk to people with a strategy, especially when one shares the vision! The ambition of turning Singapore into a green and ‘car-lite’ city, where just 20% of trips are made by private cars, is to be applauded. The team at the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education is keen to support the implementation of the ‘walk cycle ride’ policy through research and education. We look forward to working with the Singapore Rail Academy to turn the vision into reality.”

Notes:

• The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education are leaders in railway science and education. The Centre has over 130 academics, researchers and professional support staff, delivering world class research and thought leadership within railways, and offers an expanding portfolio of high-quality education programmes. Close relationships with the rail industry mean that the Centre’s research and teaching draws in real-world situations and prepares graduates for the challenges of the future.

• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport that plans, builds and maintains Singapore’s land transport infrastructure and systems. As one of the largest developers in Singapore, LTA are at the forefront of construction and engineering, and employ state-of-the-art technology and methods in pursuing land transport solutions. It is the third largest government body in Singapore, after Defence and Education, outlining the importance the state puts on its transport systems.

• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has recently launched the Singapore Rail Academy (SGRA) to build up and deepen local engineering and research capabilities.