The closing ceremony for Belt and Road Advanced Professional Development Programme in Railway Transport was successfully held on the afternoon of April 19, 2025, in the Multi-functional Hall of the Hongguoyuan Hotel. In attendance were Prof HC Man, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Dr Mark Ho, Dean of MTR Academy; Prof MENG Lingyun, Dean of the School of Traffic and Transportation at Beijing Jiaotong University; and Prof BAI Yun, Vice Dean of the School. The ceremony was presided over by Prof Tang Yuanjie, Vice Dean of the School of Traffic and Transportation.

In his concluding address, Professor HC Man expressed his great pleasure at the successful completion of the program, noting that it has created a new platform for cultivating infrastructure talent under the Belt and Road Initiative. He further stated that PolyU will continue to expand its international collaboration network and work with partners to promote the translation of cutting-edge technologies and regional coordinated development, contributing to the building of efficient and green rail transit ecosystems for the Mainland, Hong Kong (China), and Belt and Road countries.

Dr Mark Ho remarked that the two-week program successfully established a cross-border exchange platform for railway operators, researchers, and government officials. Through courses, technical visits, seminars, and exchanges held in both Hong Kong and Beijing, participants engaged in lively interactions and achieved fruitful results, not only forging new connections but also strengthening existing industry networks. He stated that this closing ceremony marks both the successful conclusion of the program and the beginning of a vibrant, interconnected community of railway collaboration dedicated to future progress in the transportation industry.

Professor MENG Lingyun stated that the program enabled railway operators, scholars, and officials from various countries to gain an in-depth understanding of China's development experience and practical achievements in rail transit planning, construction, and operation management, effectively promoting cross-regional exchange and cooperation within the global rail transit industry. He said that the school will continue to leverage its strengths in scientific innovation and talent development, actively respond to the national strategy of building China's strength in transportation and the Belt and Road Initiative, and promote the transition of rail transit systems in China and Belt and Road countries towards intelligent and green development, thereby contributing to global sustainable transport.

Mr. Mok Jiwei, Principal Manager of System Integration at the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, delivered a speech as a participant representative. He first extended his sincere gratitude to the organizers. He stated that the two-week training provided him with a systematic understanding of the development status, operational models, and technological innovations within China's rail transit ecosystem. He emphasized that the rail transit industry, a vital engine for economic growth and improved livelihoods, relies on collaborative innovation between government, operators, industry experts, and research institutions. The deep integration of new technologies like AI, automation, and the Internet of Things, he noted, is accelerating the industry's intelligent and green transformation. He pledged to apply the knowledge gained from this training to enhance his work effectiveness upon returning to Singapore.

 

Attendees watched a retrospective video summarizing the program. Deans HC Man, Mark Ho, and MENG Lingyun then presented certificates of attendance to the participants.

The Belt and Road Advanced Professional Development Programme was jointly organized by the Faculty of Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, MTR Academy, and the School of Traffic and Transportation of Beijing Jiaotong University. It aims to leverage the respective advantages of the partners in academia, research, and railway operation management to establish a cross-regional platform for knowledge sharing and exchange, thereby promoting rail transit development in Belt and Road countries and regions.

This year's program, themed "Sustainable Rail Transit: Planning, Operation and New Technologies," attracted 44 senior rail transit operation managers, executives, and scholars from 13 countries and regions. The program included a series of thematic lectures and interactive seminars, alongside visits to the MTR Corporation Depot and Training Centre, PolyU's Smart Railway Research Laboratory, BJTU's National Key Laboratory of Advanced Rail Transit Autonomous Operation, Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Centre, China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, the Rail Transit Division of China Communications Construction Company, Beijing MTR Corporation, and Traffic Control Technology Co., Ltd., facilitating exchanges with relevant industry experts.