Birmingham Centre for Rail Research and Education welcomes collaboration with two international partners, MTR Academy and the School of Information Science & Technology (SIST).
Birmingham Centre for Rail Research and Education welcomes collaboration with two international partners.
Two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were formally signed at this week’s 2018 International Seminar for Railway Education and Training, hosted by the Birmingham Centre for Railways Research and Education (BCRRE).
The first MoU was signed with MTR Academy, the education and training arm of the Hong Kong metro. It aims to develop railway executives and professionals in both China and the rest of the world to drive excellence for existing railway operations, railway expansion and major infrastructure projects in the decades to come.
The School of Information Science & Technology (SIST), which is based at South West Jiaotong University (SWJTU), signed the second MoU. SIST covers key research areas such as computing, communications, controls and electronics. It has also developed a solid reputation for its talented and high-performing graduates, and for its outstanding scientific research.
Both MoUs were co-signed by Professor Andy Schofield, Head of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Commenting on the dual signings, he said: “We are delighted to formally establish relationships with both the MTR Academy and South West Jiaotong University. We recognise the value and importance of building international collaborations, and this continues to be a focus for us at the University of Birmingham. We look forward to working more closely with MTR Academy and South West Jiaotong University in the future.”
Professor Clive Roberts, Director of the BCRRE, spoke of his pride at the Centre being “at the heart of ground-breaking international research and development, which is proven by the growing links we are developing with global academic networks and institutions.”
“The relationships with MTR Academy and South West Jiaotong University are a significant move, not only for the Birmingham Centre for Railways Research and Education, but for the University of Birmingham as a whole.”
The MoUs will enable the Centre to develop the relationships with both the MTR and SWJTU, specifically in terms of education provision. Students from both organisations will soon be able to travel to the University of Birmingham to study within the Centre on both the taught and research programmes, enabling a much greater depth and geographical reach to the Centre’s research.
