Meet the next generation of sector leaders: Introducing our 2023-2024 scholars

In 2021, UITP launched a brand-new Scholarship Programme to offer the next generation of sector leaders the chance to expand their knowledge under the guidance of industry experts.

Launching the programme, we encouraged applicants to use this new opportunity to develop their careers with a series of courses taken throughout the year…

After the success of both the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 intake, we were delighted to announce the renewal of our Academy Scholarship for the 2023-2024 calendar year – our third consecutive year of enrolling new students.

And now, it’s time to introduce the five future industry experts who will become our new scholars!

Simisola Elegba, Bus System Specialist from Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, Nigeria

Anna Oliveira, Analyst from Concessao Metroviaria Do Rioi De Janeiro SA, Brazil

Michaela Tullao, Contract Manager, Department of Transportation, Philippines

Bianka Sinanaj, Head of Technical Support Section, Municipality of Tirana Public Body, Albania

Suresh Kumar Vardanapu, Quality Manager, Keolis Hyderabad MRTS PVT Ltd, India

Our first set of Scholars graduated virtually in 2022, and the UITP Academy placed a strong focus on working closely with Joemier, Mariana, Danait, Iqbal and Utkarsh, getting to know them with our special interview series.

For our second intake, our jury selected four applicants from Nepal, Uganda, the Philippines and Albania, with Matilda, Amul, Joyce and Joseph, studying across the year, graduating last year to great success!

Now, our five impressive scholars will begin their studies guided under the watchful eyes of our Academy team and expert international trainers.

Completing their studies across a wide range of industry topics, Simisola, Anna, Micaela, Bianka and Suresh Kumar, will follow two successful years of learning, with a chance to expand their knowledge and grow their careers along the way.

Our new scholars will study for two compulsory core courses and two electives in the 2023-2024 programme.

We’ll offer virtual classroom training sessions, with physical sessions remaining an option down the line.

All five of our scholars work within the public transport sector – for a UITP member company, or from a non-member – and you’ll be learning more about them when we sit down for an exclusive interview on their careers and their vision for the future.

They have big shoes to fill, but we have every confidence in their ability…Good luck to all five of our new scholars!  

Learn more about our Academy Scholarship Programme

The UITP Academy