The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) at the University of Birmingham yesterday signed the Charter that officially launched the South East Europe Rail Research and Innovation Network (SEERRIN).
SEERRIN is a partnership between university faculties and research institutes with the Rail Cluster for South East Europe (RCSEE), the regional rail industry, rail operators, infrastructure managers, government organisations and funding bodies that have been established to drive research, development and innovation activities supporting the rail network through collaboration across the regional rail industry.
BCRRE has been invited to support the development of SEERRIN in partnership with the University of Belgrade, the University of Zagreb and the Rail Cluster of South East Europe. Further industry, academic and government bodies from across the region will be joining SEERRIN following its establishment.
This unique transnational collaboration will specifically focus on four core areas of work:
1. Enabling greater collaboration between universities and research institutions, the rail industry and public bodies responsible for managing and investing in the rail network;
2. Developing the skills and practical knowledge required to support the growth and improvement of the regional rail network;
3. Increasing research, development and innovation activity to support the development of the regional rail network;
4. Facilitating the increased transfer and practical application of technical knowledge and experience into the railway
SEERRIN is a significant development that will provide a real boost to the region’s rail capabilities at a time when major investment is planned for the rail network. Following the example of the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) that has brought a large increase in collaborative work between UK universities and the rail industry, SEERRIN seeks to emulate this success across the South East Europe region in the coming years.
Alex Burrows, BCRRE Director, says,
“We are absolutely delighted to be joining forces with our friends in South East Europe to work with them to boost rail research and innovation activities in the region and to build new partnerships with the region’s rail supply industry.
There will be significant developments in the region over the coming years and the University of Birmingham is proud to be a SEERRIN partner and to play a role in boosting innovation and productivity in the rail industry here in South East Europe.”
Prof. Tomislav Josip Mlinarić, Dean at Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb, says,
“In following years SEERRIN will play a vital role in development of railway sector in South East Europe and Faculty of Transport and Traffic Science at University of Zagreb is proud to be one of the locomotives on the SEERRIN train. We are looking forward to a close and intensive collaboration with our friends and colleagues from the rail sector in South East Europe and UK. Get on board! ”
Prof. Dr Dragana Macura, University of Belgrade, says,
“FTTE deeply believes that this is a historical step for the rail industry in Serbia and the region. The synergy between research, education and innovation will help develop railway transport and drive competition in the global transport market. We truly support this initiative and will promote and motivate other relevant institutions to join SEERRIN. Through joint forces let’s make the transport market more "green" and environmental friendly. ”
Dragoljub Rajic, Rail Cluster of South East Europe Director, says,
“Rail Cluster SEE sees SEERRIN as a new phase in the development of the railway industry in Southeast Europe. After a 20-year transition period in which both railways and suppliers have been restructured, and many new, young companies have emerged, it is time to raise the level of knowledge and technology.
Therefore, collaboration with BCRRE incorporating the Rail Alliance is of multiple importance. It should help to rebuild human resources capacity, encourage development of new and technologically advanced rail projects, increase the scope of research work, and enable universities and companies to be better connected in order to carry out innovations. It is a long-term partnership for the future.”
Prof dr Nebojša Bojovic, Dean of FTTE Belgrade and Alex Burrows, Director of BCRRE
The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) is Europe’s largest specialist railway research, education and innovation centre. With over 170 academics, researchers and professional support staff, BCRRE provides world-class research and thought leadership within railways, and offers an expanding portfolio of high-quality education programmes. In 2018 BCRRE became lead partner in the £92m UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) and in 2019 it absorbed the activities of the Rail Alliance into its offering, increasing its breadth of support for innovation and growth in the rail industry.
www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/railway/index.aspx @bcrre
UKRRIN: The UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) is designed to create powerful collaboration between academia and industry, aiming to provide a step-change in innovation in the sector and accelerate new technologies and products from research into market applications globally.
www.ukrrin.org.uk