University of Birmingham establishes training programme in parallel with IRF for senior road executives

The University of Birmingham's internationally renowned Highways Group links with IRF to host this year's premier Forum for Advances in Sustainable Roads, from 12 to 24 April, 2010

For over 15 years, the Senior Road Executives Programme (SRE) has provided continuing professional development for road practitioners and by so doing, contributed to the worldwide dissemination of cutting-edge knowledge and expertise in the area of sustainable roads. The Programme is designed to advance global understanding of the most pressing issues facing the road sector through a unique forum of debate and discussion.

The courses, comprising four linked modules of 3 days each, are run by the 1128 University of Birmingham in collaboration with 2462 IRF, and are recognised by both the UK Department for International Development and the 2332 World Bank.

This year's programme covers Road Sector Reforms (12-14 April), Road Finance (15-17), Road Safety (19-21) and Road Maintenance Management (22-24).

Senior road executives, members of roads boards, government officials dealing with the road sector, staff from international donor organisations and consultants attend the programme, which is tailored particularly to the needs of transition and developing countries.

There can be no better advertisement for the success and outreach of the programme than the testimony of past participants who have benefitted professionally from their stay in Birmingham.

Yusef Olatunji Ahmed, from the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Works, Housing & Urban Development, attended the SRE Programme in 2008. He chose the course in view of its direct relevance to road infrastructure development in his country and obtained sponsorship from the Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Roads Development Project (FRDP), a World Bank initiative.

"At this development stage of my country, institutional reform is the key to getting much-needed effectiveness and efficiency in road management. Modern methods of road maintenance are required, while sustainable methods of financing over 200,000 km of road network in Nigeria are long overdue. Knowledge on issues like these is what you get if you attend the SRE."

Yusef was particularly impressed by "the calibre of the professional instructors, the quality of the materials and the network of people who attended the programme from Africa and other parts of the World. The other most interesting aspect was the environment as well as the hospitality at the University. The speakers are experts and experienced in their various fields. They employ real life experience to illustrate, thereby making learning easy."

Sponsorship opportunities

As a high proportion of the delegates are senior decision makers from around the world, the SRE offers a prominent and directly relevant marketing opportunity for prospective sponsors.

The university and IRF have specifically tailored attractive Gold (£5,000) and Silver (£2,500) sponsorship packages together with a selection of bespoke packages to suit a wide range of priorities and budgets. Those interested are encouraged to contact the organisers as early as possible to ensure their brands get the best possible exposure and placement.

More information on the course and/or sponsorship opportunities can be obtained from the IRF (email: %$Linker: Email 0 0 0 oLinkEmail [email protected] Info false mailto:[email protected] true false%>) or University of Birmingham (email: %$Linker: Email 0 0 0 oLinkEmail [email protected] University of Birmingham false mailto:[email protected] true false%>).