Birmingham rail experts partner with India's transport leaders for hi-tech future

University of Birmingham railways experts will work with the National Rail and Transport Institute of India (NRTI) to establish a new research centre to help develop and deliver hi-tech transport systems that improve journeys for people across in India.

The Centre of Excellence on Next Generation Transportation Systems will see British and Indian experts working together to identify common research interests and data held that will allow them to produce world-leading and impactful joint research.

Both organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to identify joint research interests and support the development of education programmes that will help produce future transport leaders and world-leading research.

Chairman of Railways Board and Chancellor of NRTI Mr. Vinod Kumar Yadav and Professor Clive Roberts, Head of the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) at the University of Birmingham, signed the agreement.

BCRRE already has strong links with the NTRI, having been involved in the framework for the establishment of the Institute in 2018. The updated MOU solidifies this relationship and support the development of programmes of education at NRTI.

Professor Roberts said: “Signing this MoU further strengthens our links with the National Rail and Transport Institute of India. Through this partnership we are pleased to able to contribute to the development of railway education and research and we look forward to working together more closely.”

The University of Birmingham has a number of significant partnerships in India, underpinned by its India Institute which aims to increase the visibility, impact and coherence of Birmingham’s engagement in the country.

Chairman of Railways Board and Chancellor of National Rail Transport Institute Mr.Vinod Kumar Yadav commented: “We are pleased to sign this MoU with the University of Birmingham to set up the National Rail University’s first Centre of Excellence called Next Generation Transportation Systems that will develop research and training for transport professionals in this country.”

The partnership will also offer suitable opportunities with the University of Birmingham for training where academic or practical training will benefit students at NRTI.

Notes to Editors

• For more information, please contact Tony Moran, International Communications Manager, University of Birmingham on +44 (0) 121 414 8254 or +44 (0)782 783 2312 or t.moran@bham.ac.uk. For out-of-hours enquiries, please call +44 (0) 7789 921 165. 
• The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.
• The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) at the University of Birmingham is the largest university-based centre for railway research and education in Europe, developing world-leading new technologies alongside renowned higher education programmes.
• The India Institute was established in January 2018 and brings Birmingham and India closer together to deliver impactful research, create innovative education initiatives and extend the University’s influence across the globe.
• The University’s relationship with India began in 1909 with the first cohort of Indian students attending the University to study for degrees in Mining and Commerce. Since then, the University has provided education to many outstanding Indian alumni.

About NRTI

• The National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI) has been set up as India’s first Rail and Transportation University with the purpose of creating a resource pool of best-in-class professionals for the railway and transportation sector in India. The Institution aspires to be a leader in applied education, training and research, creating graduates and postgraduates who are uniquely qualified to pursue and excel in careers in railways as well as other transportation-related industries. It currently offers two fully residential undergraduate courses of BSc in Transportation Technology & BBA in Transportation Management and will introduce several undergraduate, master’s and PHD programs over the next 5 years. It will also conduct Executive Education programs, undertake research and consultancies for Indian Railways and other stakeholders in the transportation sector through various centers of excellence.