First day of school for the 4th year of the Transport Master Programme in Lomé

First day of school for the 4^th year of the Master « Transport and sustainable mobility in African cities »

Classes reopened in Lomé, when the 4^th year of the Master « Transport and sustainable mobility in African cities » arrived at University, on Tuesday 19^th February. This master is a result of a partnership between CODATU, l’École Africaine des Métiers de l’Architecture et de l’Urbanisme (EAMAU), Senghor University in Alexandria and Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM).

The first day was run by a different range of speakers, who came to share their experience. The students were welcomed by Prof. Kodjo Tchini, the coordinator at EAMAU and Moussa Dembele, the Director of EAMAU. Later, the conference of Bernard Rivalta (Vice-president of CODATU) regarding the implementation of the Urban Mobility Plan in Lyon, and the conference of Saturnin Dayo (Infrastructure and Transport Department of Togo) about the Urban Mobility Plan of Lomé gave intertwined insights on the connection between transport and planning in cities from both the global South and the North. The afternoon was then dedicated to the role of transport operators, with a focus on Keolis, presented by Paulin Murhula (Keolis), the case study of Sotral, the company operating the bus system in Lomé, developed by Michel Tindano (Infrastructure and Transport Department of Togo), and eventually the function of paratransit operators in South Africa, introduced by Solène Baffi (CODATU).

The students being part of this 4^th year are originally from the region. They will attend lectures at EAMAU during the next four months, and afterwards they will do an internship either in a company or within local authorities. This new cohort of student, baptised « Bernard Rivalta » gathers motivated and diverse students. Some decided to join the program to complete their curriculum, most of the time in Urban planning and architecture. Others already developed a solid experience in the corporate world, within transport operating companies or local authorities, and are henceforth willing to consolidate and enlarge their knowledge.

During the semester, both local and international experts will lecture. It is also important to recall the essential contribution of the Club of Partners that make this program possible (RATP, Transdev, Keolis, Iveco Bus, Transitec), by allowing to afford scolarships for students, to offer thesis topics and internships and sometimes even to send experts to lecture. Moreover, this year more scolarships could be attributed thanks to the contribution of AUF and EAMAU.

We wish the new students a fulfilling year ahead !