TRAINING: The International Association of Public Transport is to launch a scholarship programme for young leaders from developing countries, in memory of its former Director of Rail, Laurent Dauby, who died suddenly at the end of 2019.
Dauby was a passionate advocate of public transport. He spent more than 20 years working for UITP, initially focusing on regional transport. While acting as Director of Knowledge Services, he helped to devise the association’s PTx2 growth strategy, before being named Director of Rail in September 2013. He was a major contributor to the training programmes organised by the UITP Academy, and took great pleasure in sharing his expertise, while being inspired by the talent he helped to develop.
UITP says the Laurent Dauby Scholarship Programme will focus on encouraging a new generation of ‘young, passionate leaders’ to develop their careers. It will support five people each year, beginning in 2021.
The programme is open to public transport employees under 40 years of age, who can work for a company that is a member of the association or a non-member. To be eligible, applicants must come from countries ranked by the World Bank as having a GDP of less than US$10 000 per capita.
During the course of the year, participants will each take three compulsory core courses and one elective course at the UITP Academy, graduating alongside other students who have completed the programme.
‘Laurent was a respected colleague to many across the public transport sector, and a friend to even more’, said UITP Secretary General Mohamed Mezghani. ‘His commitment to advancing sustainable transport and enthusiasm to share his vast knowledge was recognised by all of those who knew him. UITP believes that a legacy such as his deserves to be honoured by supporting the next generation of public transport leaders and passing on the knowledge he helped to build. I encourage all of those who meet the criteria to apply for what I know will be a rich and rewarding experience.’
