GRSP and JH-IIRU Wrap Up 2-Week Training in Malaysia for Road Safety and Road Policing Leaders

In November 2024, the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) and the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU), with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, hosted the Road Safety Executive Leadership Course (RSELC) and the Road Policing Executive Leadership Course (RPELC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

The RSELC kicked off with six online modules and two interactive live webinars, setting the stage for a six-day, in-person training program. Designed to strengthen leadership skills and capacity to implement effective strategies in road safety, the course welcomed 23 participants from Malaysia, Vietnam, China, India, Bangladesh, and the Pacific Islands. 

Through expert-led sessions, breakout activities, and group presentations, participants delved into the multifaceted nature of leadership and its central role in policy formation, multisectoral collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization. These sessions aimed to deepen participants' understanding of leadership principles and provided practical strategies for tackling complex challenges in their home countries. 

A highlight of the RSELC was a field activity at the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) facility. Participants observed a live car crash test, a vivid demonstration of how research informs vehicle safety standards. The event, attended by high-level government stakeholders and local media, underscored the importance of collaboration between policymakers and researchers. 

“The course has actually helped in broadening my vision on road safety. There was so much to learn from the faculty, the organizers and our counterparts from different countries,” noted Additional Transport Commissioner Nidhi Singh from the Department of Transport and Road Safety. “The evidence-based approach and best practices of other countries were a great learning experience. The field visit to MIROS and the crash test were very educative. The Safe system approach and knowing what really has worked in other countries will definitely help me in performing my role in the lead agency in a much better and systematic way in my state in India.” 

Following the RSELC, the RPELC brought together 38 senior enforcement officers from the same regions. Led by GRSP’s road policing experts and external speakers, the course focused on the Safe System approach within a road policing context, road safety trends in Asia, legitimacy in policing, the intersection of enforcement and infrastructure, risk factors, crash investigation, and intelligence-led policing. 

Much like the RSELC, the RPELC emphasized group discussions and presentations, building an environment where participants could learn from one another's experiences and challenges. By engaging in collaborative problem-solving, they acquired a deeper understanding of region-specific issues while identifying shared solutions. 

As part of the field activity, RPELC participants visited the Kuala Lumpur Command and Control Centre, where they learned about its traffic data management and monitoring systems. They observed how real-time data is utilized to inform and enhance road safety strategies in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the pivotal role of technology in streamlining coordination. 

“The course will be invaluable for planning our activities at the Royal Malaysia Police College. This program benefits not only me as a participant, but also our entire organization,” said Senior Assistant Commissioner Police Ahmad Asmadi Hashim. “By gaining knowledge of the Safe Systems approach and sharing experiences with participants from other countries, we can enhance our organizational growth and uphold our commitment to road safety.” 

Looking ahead, GRSP and JH-IIRU remain committed to strengthening leadership for road safety through these courses to professionals worldwide, equipping them with tools and approaches to address the unique challenges in their respective countries and workplaces. By promoting peer-to-peer exchange and cross-regional collaboration, these courses build a global community of road safety leaders equipped to implement meaningful change. 

• Find more content on the courses using these hashtags: #RSELC2024 and #RPELC2024.