The Role Of The International Road Federation In The Enhancement Of The Economic Expansion Of Developing Countries
- Conference
- Location
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Honolulu, Hawaii
- Publication Date
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June 24, 2007
- Start Date
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June 24, 2007
- End Date
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June 27, 2007
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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International
- Page Count
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20
- Page Numbers
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12.1464.1 - 12.1464.20
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--1961
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/1961
- Download Count
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566
Paper Authors
Fazil Najafi University of Florida
DR. FAZIL T. NAJAFI
Dr. Najafi is a professor of Civil and Coastal Engineering at the University of Florida. He earned his BSCE from the American College of Engineering, Kabul, Afghanistan, and his BSAE, MS, and PhD degrees in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He has worked for 35 years in government, industry, and education. Besides teaching during the last 14 years, Dr. Najafi has conducted research, has been a participating member of several professional societies including ASEE, has published numerous refereed and non-refereed articles, and has presented many technical papers to international, national and local organizations.
Micheal Dreznes International Road Federation
Micheal G. Dreznes
Michael G. Dreznes was originally hired by Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. in 1986 to create their International Department in Chicago, Illinois. In 2004 he was promoted to the position of Vice President of Corporate Communications for Quixote Corporation. Dreznes maintained responsibility for the international activities for all the Quixote companies.
In 2006, Dreznes left Quixote Corporation to accept his current position of Deputy Director General of the International Road Federation, a global organization whose mission is to improve road design and safety through technology transfer.
James Ekberg University of Florida
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
The Role of the International Road Federation in the Enhancement of the Economic Expansion of Developing Countries
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to present the role of the International Road Federation (IRF) in the enhancement of the economic expansion of developing countries. The basic philosophy of the IRF for the past fifty-eight years has been that road infrastructure development is the true key to economic and social progress in any country in the world. Since 1948, the IRF has been promoting technology transfer to developing countries.
The IRF Fellowship Program has provided education opportunities at some of the finest institutions of higher learning in the world to individual Fellows from various countries with experts and leaders in the road industry as mentors. These Fellows return home to participate in responsible leadership roles in their countries, and their strong influence has affected the development of transportation systems. This paper will illustrate the contributions made by some of these Fellows.
Studies have shown a direct link between a country’s gross domestic product and the level of sophistication of its infrastructure. Through the education and training activities offered by the IRF, countries around the world have gained the tools to expand the sophistication of their infra- structures and increase their gross national income. This paper will illustrate how the IRF’s influence to make better roads has resulted in global economic growth, and that it continues to add to this growth today.
Introduction
Since its founding in 1948, the basic philosophy of the International Road Federation (IRF) has been that road infrastructure development is the true key to economic and social progress in any country in the world. Ever since, the IRF has been promoting technology transfer to developing countries through its unique university scholarship program (IRF Fellowship Program), Road Congresses, the creation of training materials, and the leadership and technological expertise of its members.
The IRF Fellowship Program has provided 1166 individuals from 112 countries with the opportunity to be educated in some of the finest institutions of higher learning in the world and to be mentored by some of the true experts and leaders in the road industry. These Fellows have returned to their home countries to accept positions of great responsibility including those of ministers, deputy ministers, senators, company presidents, managing directors, cabinet ministers, university professors and researchers. They have exerted a strong influence on the orderly development of transportation systems worldwide. This paper will illustrate the contributions made by some of these Fellows to make the roads of their countries better, thereby helping the economic growth of their countries.
Najafi, F., & Dreznes, M., & Ekberg, J. (2007, June), The Role Of The International Road Federation In The Enhancement Of The Economic Expansion Of Developing Countries Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--1961
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