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Sydney plays proud host to the 10th World Congress on Railway Research 2013 over the 25th – 28th November 2013. Combined with AusRAIL PLUS 2013 the two events represent the very last conference and exhibition to be held in the soon to be redeveloped Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Across both events the organisers expect to welcome over 5000 delegates and visitors with an interest in the rail industry, with delegations expected from over 30 nations.
Professional gatherings of this magnitude are rare and the CRC for Rail Innovation wanted to take the opportunity to give four students the chance to attend the WCRR 2013. The scholarship winners will be able to meet, network and exchange ideas with the assembled international delegates, whilst acting as student ambassadors for the CRC.
The scholarship winners have been announced as:
- Annette Sommerville, Masters Candidate, Central Queensland University
- Lily Hirsch, PhD Candidate, Central Queensland University
- Shah Sanjar Nafis Ahmad, PhD Candidate, Central Queensland University
- Vincent Moug, PhD Candidate, Monash University
In addition to attending the event on the scholarship, Lily and Vincent will also be part of a significant Australian contingent showcasing their research by presenting oral papers at the congress.
We spoke with the scholarship winners to understand what it means to them to have access to a knowledge bank such as the WCRR at the start of their careers:
Annette Sommerville, Central Queensland University
“To be able to access the wealth of knowledge that will be available at the WCRR is an opportunity to speak to the best in the world. It is a rare and invaluable chance to speak with international leaders that may be otherwise inaccessible. The knowledge bank also extends to literature and seminars available and the opportunity to ask questions to those leading the world in their field.’
Having the opportunity to discuss my research and develop associations with world experts will hugely advance my career by providing me with the opportunity to promote not only my current research but also my past experience and future desires. It will enable me to best understand how I could position myself to benefit Rail Research, and general industry partners.
It will give me the opportunity to meet directly with potential employers and make a positive and personal impression. I am both humbled and excited about being giving this fantastic opportunity.”
Lily Hirsch, Central Queensland University
“The WCRR is an invaluable event for early career researchers and PhD candidates to attend. With over 200 technical presentations, plenary sessions and the largest rail exhibition in Australasia, attending the WCRR will give us the chance to meet and share knowledge with a diverse range of people from industry and academia, some of whom are leading figures in rail research across the globe.
The opportunity to present alongside leading figures at the World Congress is exciting and I look forward to showcasing my own work. I believe that attending, presenting at, and networking during the WCRR will benefit my future career in rail research.
Shah Sanjar Nafis Ahmad, Central Queensland University
“Being the greatest rendezvous of people in rail industry, manufacturers and researchers the WCRR provides a much needed opportunity for synchronization of application of knowledge in improving the efficiency of railway as well as effective means of problem solving. Getting the access to WCRR knowledge bank will improve the possibility of connecting my research to the rail industry.
This is a great milestone of my relatively young research career. This will kick off my motivation to carry on my research by getting the chance of sharing thoughts and ideas with people of the rail industry. This will also help me to realize the application of research in rail industry which will eventually increase my experience.”
Vincent Moug, Monash University
“As a student within academia the value of the technical resources and industry based expertise offered, for example by the WCRR, brings a validity and pragmatism to my own post-graduate research. Such opportunities provide for the communication and exchange of knowledge between commercial industry and academic endeavour.
Aspiring towards expertise in my chosen field it offers both a networking opportunity with potential employers or collaborators, and a chance to personally contribute to discussion and knowledge within the industry.”
We would like to congratulate all four of the scholarship winners and look forward to welcoming them at the 10th World Congress on Railway Research in Sydney this November
The CRC for Rail Innovation should also be recognised for launching and awarding these scholarships. R&D is an essential driving force for any industry and providing young, up and coming researchers with access to such a fertile R&D environment can only serve to benefit the Australian rail industry both now and in the future.
For more information on The World Congress on Railway Research visit www.wcrr2013.org and find out how you can join the scholarship winners at this fantastic event.
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