Renault launches first masters programme for road safety management in arab world

Thanks to Renault, a valuable partner of the Global Road Safety Partnership, the first Masters programme of its kind in Road Safety Management now exists in the Arab world. Through its corporate foundation, the leading automotive French group has partnered with the prestigious Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Lebanon to establish a Multidisciplinary Chair for Road Safety Management. “The road crashes rate is twice more in the region than in Europe”, affirmed Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault-Nissan. “Because we as automobile manufacturers are part of the problem, our responsibility is to be part of the solution”, he noted explaining Renault’s motivation to establish such an academic hub.

The launching ceremony was held on Friday, 16 March on the university premises, under the auspices of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Father René Chamussy, USJ’s Rector, Carlos Ghosn, and a number of other individuals.

“If we want our actions to bear fruits, they should be carried out in partnership with others”, stressed Father Chamussy.

As of September 2012, this Road Safety Management Masters programme will be open to all interested students from the Maghreb to the Mashrek, coming from Public administrations, businesses and professional organizations and wishing to become road safety experts in their country.

“We commit ourselves to ensuring that this Chair becomes a regional and international model in terms of road safety”, pointed out Professor Ramzi Salame, head of the Road Safety Management Chair at USJ.

This course benefits from the competencies and know-how of 12 Lebanese and international experts. It offers an 18-month, trilingual, multidisciplinary programme covering the following fields: vehicles safety, road safety, law enforcement and legislative framework, road users’ behaviour, post-crash care and road safety management systems.

“In order to facilitate awareness, assist authorities, bring together all concerned stakeholders and carry out necessary action plans, here more than anywhere else in the world, training and educating experts is a must do”, noted Mr. Ghosn.

The establishment of a Road Safety Management Chair in the region aligns with Renault’s commitment and support for the Decade of Action. Samar Abouraad and Ian Hughes from the Global Road Safety Partnership played an advisory role in the initial elaboration of the master’s curriculum.

For more information please visit the following websites: Renault Foundation and
Road Safety Management Chair at Saint Joseph University