IRF focuses on training issues

IRF Geneva has a long history of providing cutting-edge educational and professional development facilities and resources specifically targeted to the needs of road sector professionals worldwide

In this respect it builds on its tradition as a neutral platform for global exchanges and precision service. A wide range of current opportunities may be found in the Training & Services section of the 1201 IRF Geneva website.

Many, including the annual Senior Road Executive courses, need little introduction as they have established an international reputation for excellence. Constantly committed, however, to broadening the range and diversity of its services, IRF Geneva is currently evolving a host of new initiatives designed not only to extend outreach but also by way of proactive response to the changing needs of today’s road professionals as they are confronted with the increasing time, economic and travel restraints of the modern world.

Particular emphasis in this respect is being given to the organisation of a comprehensive series of webinars and online learning resources aimed, in the words of deputy director general, Caroline Visser, “…at making IRF’s programmes ever more useful and accessible to our growing global community, which is also being reflected in the rapid rise of social media activity and followers.”

A few prominent initiatives are introduced briefly here and will be outlined more fully in future issues.

Webinars

An exciting new series of webinars is being developed to harness the expertise available from within IRF Geneva’s global network of leading road professionals and organisations. As outlined by Visser, “The webinars will enable members to benefit from this wealth of experience, as well as interact dynamically on key issues, literally without having to leave their desks!”

The series will cover priority themes drawn from across all core programme areas and has already been successfully launched through two pilot webinars hosted by IRF Geneva’s statistics expert, Dr Cristian Gonzalez. The latest of these, held on 6th June, provided an overview of ‘World Road Statistics for Beginners – Techniques and Methods’ and readers can still register to view a recorded version via the www.irfnet.ch website. The webinar notably explored simple modelling methodologies as well as basic econometric techniques, underpinned with examples to provide participants with a thorough grounding in the key elements to consider when collecting and analysing data.

Short Courses

The Senior Road Executive (SRE) courses organised in conjunction with the 1128 University of Birmingham have, over the last fifteen years, been at the forefront of instilling modern approaches to the management and financing of road networks worldwide. In line with this tradition, the University is now pleased to offer two new hands-on courses in the areas of road safety and road economics. The first will be delivered in collaboration with iRAP (the International Road Assessment Programme) and the second with HDMGlobal. Both are five-day, intensive residential programmes delivered by top international experts. They are particularly aimed at road sector professionals, road engineers, planners and road safety practitioners who wish to gain practical exposure to the latest knowledge and methodologies.


More details can be found in the advertisement on the next page, as well as on the <%$Linker:2External<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary />000oLinkExternalwww.irfnet.chwww.irfnet.chfalsehttp://www.irfnet.ch/falsefalse%> website, which includes a link for online registration.