Leading Australian railway research institute to collaborate with International Union

The International Union of Railways (UIC), a global organisation that brings together international stakeholders interested in railway advancement, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Melbourne-based Monash University’s Institute of Railway Technology (IRT). The MOU between the UIC and Monash’s IRT will focus on collaboration in research and technology development, railway construction, operation and management, and education and skills development relevant to railways, bringing an Australian context to global railway advancement. The UIC brings together members working in railway innovation and development from all continents of the world, providing opportunities for integrated railway companies, infrastructure managers, railway or combined transport operators, rolling stock and traction leasing companies service providers, with many of these in developing nations. The UIC’s objectives are to promote railway transportation through expertise and capacity building, as well as knowledge sharing with, and knowledge transfer to its members. IRT has an established record in solving railway-related technical issues, and railway owners and operators throughout the world adopt its solutions. Regarded as the premier track and vehicle research centre in Australia, key technological innovations are continually developed providing significant benefits to the railway industry globally. The MOU was signed during the 2019 Philippines-Australia Railway Innovation Roundtable and the 27th UIC Asia Pacific Regional Assembly. The Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Steve Robinson AO, witnessed the signing of the MOU. The Director of the IRT, Mr Ravi Ravitharan said: “the partnership with UIC will help advance railway technology around the world, and now strengthened through Australia’s contribution to the objectives of the UIC. “It offers an opportunity for Australia to continue to play an important role in the development and sustainability of the railway industry globally, through the formalisation of the relationship with the UIC. The partnership will bring mutual benefit with new partnerships created and existing ones expanded and enhanced, through the closer collaboration with the UIC and its network of members.”