I see it every day in conversations with colleagues from different disciplines: real progress comes from sharing knowledge, learning from one another, and building something better together. That’s what DB Rail Academy is all about. As the international training provider of DB Engineering & Consulting, the Academy supports transport professionals around the world – with a strong focus on infrastructure, vehicle technology, operations, maintenance, digitalization, and logistics. From simulator sessions to e-learning and in-person instruction, it's all about turning knowledge into skills that stick. The TRAIN method illustrates this approach: Transfer, Resources, Activity, Initiative, SustaiNability – all brought to life through real-world training, as shown in the visual. A project in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, puts this into practice. Last year, DB Rail Academy partnered with DB Regio Straße Baden-Württemberg and the Ministry of Transport to improve safety in the city’s bus network – used by thousands every day. The process: analyzing the driving behavior of 262 bus drivers and selecting 21 for a 160-hour pilot program. The drivers received in-depth instruction on theory, first aid, defensive driving, and handling different bus types under real conditions. The outcome: more confident drivers, safer operations, and better journeys for passengers citywide. As Head of the Working Group Central Asia at the German Eastern Business Association, I know how important this region is economically, politically, and for infrastructure development. Projects like this demonstrate the value of long-term partnerships and regional collaboration. Thank you to Innokentiy Belyakov-Zagumennov, Heiko Scholz and the entire DB Rail Academy team, and everyone who contributed to this success. Because in the end, this is what inspires me about transport: people connecting with people – and the solutions that emerge when we work together.