PhD in Transportation and Infrastructures successfully defended in Rome | Chia Ngwah

I am delighted to share that I successfully defended my PhD in Transportation and Infrastructures (Grade: Excellent) on Tuesday, 12th May 2026, at Sapienza University of Rome in Italy. I was also recommended for the additional title of "Doctor Europaeus", which is awarded to recognize the strong international and cross-border dimensions of my doctoral research.

This journey began in 2021 when I was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship to study for an MSc in Road Engineering and Management at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Thereafter, I decided to pursue my doctoral research in Italy. Today, I give God the praise for taking me through these four years of intensive study in Europe.

Academically, during my doctoral journey, I authored and co-authored 11 Peer-reviewed journal papers. I presented and attended conferences and seminars across several countries, including Turkey, the Netherlands, France, Croatia, Austria, and Germany.

Many thanks to my Supervisors Professor Luca Persia, Professor Davide Shingo, and Dr. Brayan Gonzalex. I am also grateful to my External Examiners, Professor Darko Babic and Dr Jiri Ambros, as well as my PhD Viva Committee members Professor Biagi Ludovico, Professor Olga Kunytska, and Professor Stanislav Popov.

Finally, I am grateful to my family and friends for standing by me throughout this journey, and also to Open Dreams for recommending me for the Commonwealth Scholarship nomination, where this story began.

#Sapienza University of Rome, CATUC Bamenda students, University of Buea.