PolyU, Beijing Jiaotong University and MTR Academy sign a cooperation agreement to nurture railway professionals in Belt and Road Countries

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) and MTR Academy signed a cooperation agreement yesterday (26 August 2024) and announced the launch of the Belt and Road Advanced Professional Development Programme in Railway Transport, which aims to facilitate talent development as well as cooperation and exchange in technologies by combining the teaching resources and research capabilities of the two universities together with the practical experience of the railway operator to promote the railway development in Belt and Road countries.

The inaugural Belt and Road Advanced Professional Development Programme in Railway Transport will be launched in October this year, offering the “Sustainable Rail Transport: Planning, Operations and New Technologies” training programme which targets about 30 senior executives, scholars, researchers and trainers who are engaged in railway development, planning, policy and operations, as well as future transport advocates who aspire to promote smart mobility initiatives and integrated transportation systems in Belt and Road countries and regions.

The two-week training programme will be conducted in Beijing and Hong Kong, and will include lectures, workshops and discussion forums. Participants will also visit the facilities of railway operators in Beijing and Hong Kong to better understand the industry’s latest developments. The training programme will provide a platform for participants to exchange ideas on the application of emerging technologies and operations with a view to accelerating sustainable development in infrastructure, economics and people’s livelihoods in Belt and Road countries and regions. The parties target to launch at least one training programme annually under the three-year cooperation agreement.

The signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement was held in Beijing, with the agreement being signed by Prof. HC MAN, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of PolyU, Prof. MENG Lingyun, Dean of the School of Traffic and Transportation of BJTU, and Dr Mark HO, Dean of MTR Academy. 

Prof. HC Man said, “PolyU is committed to supporting the Belt and Road initiative for talent development in the field of engineering. We are pleased to enter into this tripartite partnership with the MTR Academy and Beijing Jiaotong University to organise the Belt and Road Advanced Professional Development Programme in Railway Transport. PolyU’s smart railway technology innovations, already deployed in various countries and regions, demonstrate our commitment to translating research outcomes into practical solutions. Through this programme, PolyU hopes to foster advanced exchanges and knowledge sharing and realise new collaboration opportunities with experts in Hong Kong and Belt and Road countries.”

Prof. Meng Lingyun said, “Since the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing Jiaotong University has proactively served major strategic needs of the country, fully leveraging its strengths in transportation and promoting educational and research cooperation in the field of railway transportation. We sincerely hope that this Belt and Road Advanced Professional Development Programme will provide an opportunity to work with PolyU and MTR Academy to build a high-level international exchange platform for sharing advanced railway technologies and valuable operational management experience.”

Dr Mark Ho said, “Railways play an indispensable role in the sustainable development of urban planning. The Belt and Road Advanced Professional Development Programme is the first to be jointly organised by a railway operator and universities. MTR Academy looks forward to this collaboration to provide a knowledge platform for the Belt and Road countries. Our sharing of MTR’s world-class experience in railway operation and management will enable the programme to blend theory and practice, thereby achieving the goal of fostering the sustainable development of mass transit systems and smart cities through regional exchanges.”

Initially, the collaboration will focus primarily on training. The three parties will continue to explore other possibilities for long-term cooperation to promote exchanges in the field of railway transportation in support of the Belt and Road Initiative.

***End***