The Vice-Chancellor, of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal, has affirmed the institution’s commitment to the Russian University of Transport (RUT) and Russian-African Network of Transport University (RANTU) projects on sustainable transport environments.
Prof. Katsayal gave the affirmation at a two-day summit titled “Russian-African Network of Transport University (RANTU)” organised by the Ministry of Transportation of the Russian Federation and the Russian University of Transport (RUT) in Moscow, Russia.
The VC, in his efforts to increase the visibility of FUTD and establish contacts, partnerships, and collaborations, in his presentation titled “Russian-African Network Transport University Project: Commitment of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura—Nigeria,” showcased the young university’s vision, mission, academic programmes being offered, focus, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
According to him, the university research focuses on transportation systems optimisation; transport infrastructure development; logistics and supply chain management; transport policy and planning; and intelligent transportation systems.
Other research focus areas, as stated by Prof. Katsayal, include environmental sustainability, public transport systems, transport safety and security, human capital development, and innovation in transportation technology and entrepreneurship.
He further spoke about the potential areas of collaboration with intending partners, including emerging technologies and green energy; intelligent transport systems; transport security; public transportation access; logistics management; health and safety in transportation; smart pipeline systems; and data management systems.
He also highlighted some of the challenges of the university, including infrastructure development; shortage of skilled personnel in the areas of transport technology; limited research funding; and rapid technological advancement.
He emphasised that the university’s commitment to the RUT and the RANTU Project, particularly on curriculum mapping and development; staff and students exchange programme; joint graduate top-up programmes; joint research and publications; capacity building and training; as well as joint construction and consulting projects in African countries, will result in a sustainable transport environment in Nigeria, Africa.
The RUT, RANTU project is an inter-regional project aimed at combining the potential of 19 transport educational institutions in Russia and African universities that are either specialised in transportation or are offering transport-related programmes, into a single educational network for the development of a sustainable transport environment, training of qualified personnel, and scientific and expert support of joint initiatives in the field of transport infrastructure.
It is also aimed at developing partnerships between educational institutions, governments, and companies, popularising Russian transport education, and expanding scientific and technical cooperation with African countries.
The Federal University of Transportation, Daura, was represented at the event by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Hon. Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal, mni, and the Director of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Ahmad Abubakar.
