Course Details

Driving Innovation: Road Research Centre Management Training Course

INTRODUCTION

Road Research Centres play a pivotal role in advancing the quality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of national road infrastructure. Effective management of these specialized institutions is paramount to ensure they deliver relevant, high-impact road research, provide reliable materials testing services, inform sound transport policy, and drive innovation in pavement engineering and technologies. This Road Research Centre Management Training Course is designed specifically for current and aspiring leaders responsible for the strategic direction and operational management of Road Research Centres. Gain the essential competencies to lead these vital organizations effectively through this specialized management training course.

This comprehensive training course addresses the unique management challenges inherent in a road research environment. Participants will explore best practices in strategic planning, research agenda setting, financial management and funding mobilization, laboratory and equipment oversight, human resource development for technical staff, quality assurance, knowledge management, and stakeholder engagement. By completing this training course, you will enhance your leadership capabilities and acquire practical tools to optimize the performance and impact of your Road Research Centre, ensuring it contributes significantly to the development and maintenance of a nation's road infrastructure.

DURATION

10 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Directors General, Directors, and Deputy Directors of Road Research Centres, Institutes, or equivalent bodies
• Heads of Departments within Road Research Centres (e.g., Pavement Engineering, Materials, Geotechnical, Structures, Traffic & Safety, Economics)
• Senior Research Officers, Principal Engineers, and Scientists aspiring to management positions
• Laboratory Managers overseeing materials testing facilities, equipment calibration, and accreditation
• Research Programme Managers, Project Coordinators, and Strategic Planners
• Senior officials in Ministries of Transport, Infrastructure, or Works overseeing road research functions
• Professionals involved in resource mobilization, business development, or quality management within road research organizations

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Understand the strategic functions, operational models, and national importance of Road Research Centres.
• Develop and implement effective strategic plans and demand-driven research agendas aligned with national infrastructure priorities.
• Apply best practices in leadership, human resource management, and fostering a culture of innovation within a technical research setting.
• Master techniques for sustainable financial management, budgeting, and mobilizing resources from diverse sources for road research.
• Oversee the efficient management, accreditation (e.g., ISO 17025), and utilization of research laboratories, testing equipment, and data systems.
• Implement robust quality assurance systems for research activities, testing services, and technical outputs.
• Develop and execute effective strategies for knowledge management, research dissemination, and technology transfer to end-users.
• Strengthen engagement and build productive partnerships with key stakeholders including government agencies, industry, academia, and the public.

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Strategic Role and Positioning of Road Research Centres

• Defining the mandate, vision, and mission of a modern Road Research Centre for this module.
• Understanding the Centre's role in the national infrastructure development lifecycle for this module.
• Analyzing the external environment: policy trends, industry needs, technological advancements for this module.
• Developing a strategic positioning and value proposition for the Centre for this module.
• Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with strategic goals for this module.

Module 2: Research Agenda Setting and Strategic Planning

• Conducting needs assessments to identify priority road research areas for this module.
• Developing a multi-year strategic research plan aligned with national transport policies for this module.
• Prioritizing research projects based on potential impact, feasibility, and resource availability for this module.
• Integrating cross-cutting themes like climate resilience, road safety, and sustainable materials for this module.
• Monitoring and evaluating the relevance and impact of the research agenda for this module.

Module 3: Leadership and Human Resource Management in a Technical Environment

• Leading and motivating specialized scientific and technical teams effectively for this module.
• Implementing performance management systems tailored for researchers and technicians for this module.
• Designing professional development and capacity building programs for specialized staff for this module.
• Fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and ethical research conduct for this module.
• Succession planning and talent management within the Road Research Centre for this module.

Module 4: Financial Management, Funding, and Resource Mobilization

• Developing and managing budgets for research projects and institutional operations for this module.
• Strategies for securing core funding from government appropriations for this module.
• Identifying and pursuing opportunities for research grants and commissioned projects (donors, industry) for this module.
• Developing compelling funding proposals and managing grant requirements for this module.
• Implementing sound financial controls, procurement procedures, and reporting systems for this module.

Module 5: Laboratory Management, Accreditation, and Equipment Oversight

• Best practices in managing road materials testing laboratories and field testing operations for this module.
• Achieving and maintaining laboratory accreditation (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025) for quality assurance for this module.
• Planning for equipment procurement, calibration, maintenance, and replacement for this module.
• Implementing robust laboratory safety protocols and procedures for this module.
• Managing laboratory information systems (LIMS) and ensuring data integrity for this module.

Module 6: Research Project Management and Quality Assurance

• Applying project management principles to road research projects (planning, execution, monitoring) for this module.
• Ensuring methodological rigor, data quality, and adherence to research ethics for this module.
• Implementing internal and external peer review processes for research outputs for this module.
• Managing research data effectively, including storage, accessibility, and security for this module.
• Developing and implementing institutional quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001) for this module.

Module 7: Knowledge Management and Technology Transfer

• Developing strategies for effective dissemination of research findings (publications, reports, workshops, guidelines) for this module.
• Translating research outcomes into practical applications, standards, and specifications for the road sector for this module.
• Managing intellectual property generated from research activities for this module.
• Implementing knowledge management systems within the Centre to capture and share expertise for this module.
• Building capacity within the road industry and government agencies to adopt new technologies for this module.

Module 8: Stakeholder Engagement, Communication, and Advisory Services

• Mapping key stakeholders (government ministries, road authorities, contractors, consultants, academia, public) for this module.
• Developing strategies for building and maintaining strong partnerships with stakeholders for this module.
• Providing expert advisory services and technical support to government and industry for this module.
• Developing and implementing an external communication strategy to enhance the Centre's visibility and reputation for this module.
• Managing stakeholder expectations and feedback effectively for this module.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate
• TRAINING VENUE
• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.
• AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION
• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request
• TERMS OF PAYMENT
• Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com