From May 17 – 21, 2010 the University of Antwerp opens its doors for the first ‘Antwerp Rail School’ organised by its international network of leading University Groups, TRANSPORTNET, in close co-operation with Lloyd’s Register Rail, specialist provider of expert advice for rail rolling stock and infrastructure.

From May 17 – 21, 2010 the University of Antwerp opens its doors for the first ‘Antwerp Rail School’ organised by its international network of leading University Groups, TRANSPORTNET, in close co-operation with Lloyd’s Register Rail, specialist provider of expert advice for rail rolling stock and infrastructure.

The theme will be ‘Railway to the future: business and academia join forces’.

The school will benefit both people working in rail operations and infrastructure businesses who want to improve their knowledge and learn new skills, and students at advanced Masters / PhD level who want to better understand the rail business and apply their learning in this challenging environment.

Antwerp Rail School 2010 will be held at the premises of the University of Antwerp.

This innovative approach has been pioneered by Lloyd’s Register working with TRANSPORTNET with the objective of bringing scientific knowledge and rail practice closer together. At the same time it will be an excellent opportunity to promote the rail world to students, acquainting them with a working environment which carries a long history and offers substantial growth possibilities.

Programme
The overall programme covers five days; participants can either join the entire week or opt for one or more days. Subjects will be Market Analysis (Monday), Technical and Safety Analysis (Tuesday) and Investment Analysis (Wednesday), Freight Niche Markets (Thursday) and Passenger Innovation and Policy (Friday). Speakers from the TRANSPORTNET universities will contribute conceptual, framework and process inputs, whilst well-known rail and rail supporting organisations will give practical, in-depth insight into their strategic decision-making. Welcome drinks on the first day as well as a leisure programme in Antwerp will be included.

Costs and practical issues
Lloyd’s Register and the University of Antwerp are pleased to welcome applications to join the School in w/c May 17 – the deadline for application has been set on Friday, April 23, 2010. Full programme details, speaker profiles, practical details as well as costs and discount possibilities can be found on the website; www.antwerprailschool2010.org, from where a registration form can be completed and downloaded.

Bundling strengths
“At Lloyd’s Register Rail, we are proud of our reputation of serving a wide range of clients and thus being able to bring several rail parties together. We are happy to share these benefits with the University of Antwerp’s TRANSPORTNET, enabling members of the rail community to broaden their scope and to share their experiences,” says Jack Doomernik, Domain Manager Infrastructure & Interfaces. Thierry Vanelslander of the Department of Transport and Regional Economics at the University of Antwerp adds: “Within our Department as well as our international network TRANSPORTNET, it is considered increasingly relevant to share our academic competences and network with business and industry. The rail industry has a solid reputation with innovative perspectives. We see great opportunities for students at advanced level who want to get the chance of making real-life applications and to get in touch with business.”