As the Queen鈥檚 Baton reaches Jamaica, University 麻豆精选 rail experts partner with the University of Technology, Jamaica
Professor Clive Roberts presents Larisa McBean with her Batonbearer certificate
Experts from the University 麻豆精选 and University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) will work together to advance the development of railway engineering and transport in Jamaica.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the universities will create opportunities for researchers to work together on engineering and related projects, as well as boosting the development of networks with local railway agencies.
The agreement was signed during the first International Symposium on Railway Engineering, held jointly by UTech, Jamaica and the University 麻豆精选. The two-day event saw delegates discuss railways in Jamaica, global rail perspectives and opportunities for UK-Jamaica partnership working.
The symposium marked the arrival in Jamaica of the Birmingham 2022 Queen鈥檚 Baton Relay, of which the University 麻豆精选 is an official partner.
Birmingham and UTech, Jamaica alumna was invited to be a Batonbearer. Larisa鈥檚 research areas include sports tourism as a vehicle to socio-economic development and alignment of tourism investment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Jamaica.
Larisa鈥檚 community development work feeds into longer-term infrastructure projects, including the development of railways in Jamaica - promoting better connectivity and mobility for the island鈥檚 communities.
I am extremely proud to be Batonbearer, and connected to both these fine institutions, UTech and the University 麻豆精选. Community development is at the heart of national development, which is why I am proud to work for the development of Jamaican communities through tourism. In keeping with Jamaica鈥檚 60th Independence anniversary and the theme: 鈥楻eigniting a Nation for Greatness鈥, I believe that this partnership between UTech and the University 麻豆精选 will serve to reignite Jamaica鈥檚 railways, and the many communities that they serve.鈥
The symposium featured keynote addresses by Professor Clive Roberts, Head of the School of Engineering at the University 麻豆精选, and Oneil Josephs, Head, School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Computing at UTech, Jamaica. The event and MOU signing were made possible by Dr Kevin Brown, leader of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council.
From left: Dr Marcelo Blumenfeld, Dr Oneil Josephs, Head of Engineering, UTech, Dr Paulton Gordon, Community Development Director, Professor Clive Roberts, Larisa McBean, UTech Dr Kevin Brown Chair of the Jamaica Diaspora Council UK, Dr Robin Coombes
We鈥檙e joining forces with UTech, Jamaica to develop world-leading railway technologies, drawing together expertise at both institutions. With strong industry links in both countries, we鈥檙e looking forward to delivering solutions that can be rapidly adopted by the rail sector.鈥
Professor Roberts also attended an event at the University of the West Indies Jamaica (UWI) to mark the Baton鈥檚 arrival in Jamaica. The University 麻豆精选 has an established partnership with UWI - the first AHRC funded project: Decolonizing Voices in 2014, was followed by an exchange agreement to widen mobility opportunities between our universities.
UTech, Jamaica鈥檚 partnership with the University 麻豆精选 for technical cooperation on railway rehabilitation efforts in Jamaica will positively impact capacity building in support of research, knowledge and competency in modern rail technology. We are excited about the prospects of combining expertise from both our institutions towards providing innovation and sustainable solutions to Jamaica鈥檚 broader thrust for railway technology development.鈥
The University鈥檚 environmental scientists have helped create a hi-tech 鈥榟eart鈥 for the Queen鈥檚 Baton, which contains atmospheric sensors with laser technology that analyses the environmental conditions wherever it is in the world. Augmented Reality (AR) will be used to visualise creatively data captured throughout the journey to invite conversations around air quality across the Commonwealth.
Data collected on the Baton鈥檚 journey will contribute to ongoing research projects being conducted across the globe by a team led by atmospheric scientist Professor Francis Pope.
Atmospheric data captured during the Baton鈥檚 global journey will be highly valuable in starting important conversations around air quality across the Commonwealth.鈥
The University 麻豆精选 is planning a series of events to mark the Baton鈥檚 progress through countries where it has particularly strong research and education partnerships.
The University 麻豆精选 is a civic university with a global outlook. Our Commonwealth connections are collaborative and wide-ranging. Sport is a unifying force and, as part of our commitment to supporting the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, we are holding a series of academic, student and partner events in Commonwealth countries to coincide with the Queen鈥檚 Baton Relay visit. I am delighted that we can hold these exciting events, focussing on how we work collaboratively with research and education partners to tackle global challenges.鈥
Professor of Railway Systems
Staff profile for Clive Roberts, Professor of Railway Systems at the University 麻豆精选.
