Indonesia’s Dardak named IRF Professional of the Year by IRF Washington

Indonesia’s vice-minister of Public Works has set the bar high for transport sector development

Indonesia’s vice-minister of Public Works is engineer Hermanto Dardak and he has been awarded the International Road Federation’s highest and most prestigious individual distinction. Established in 1951, the Professional of the Year Award recognises eminent public, private and education sector professionals with an outstanding track record of leadership and commitment to the road transport industry.

Over the years, the award has recognised some of the world’s most influential transport leaders for their work in the field of advocacy, policy, research and educational programmes in support of better, safer and more sustainable road networks globally.

“Over the course of a distinguished career, vice-minister Dardak has spearheaded key infrastructure programmes that have readied Indonesia for the challenges of the 21st century,” noted Eng Abdullah A Al-Mogbel, chairman of the International Road Federation.

“The Award Nominating Committee also took note of engineer Dardak’s efforts to foment bonds between the students of today and leaders of tomorrow, a goal which is enshrined in the founding principles of the International Road Federation.”

“The International Road Federation is an organisation with abundant experience in road transportation, playing a major role in all aspects of road policy. It is an honour for me to accept this award,” Dardak said.

Since assuming office in 2010, vice-minister Dardak has notably overseen a historic acceleration of Indonesia’s efforts to enhance its connectivity through unprecedented investments in the country’s highway programme.

“As a result of increases in funding in the past years, our infrastructure is now much better ranked in international benchmarks,” Dardak said.

3918 IRF Washington  president and CEO C Patrick Sankey praised Engineer Dardak for being “widely recognised among his peers in the profession who have elected him President of the Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia (REAAA).”

“The IRF’s Professional of the Year Award is a further accolade to an exceptional career,” Sankey added.

The IRF Professional of the Year Award will be presented during the 1st IRF Asia Regional Congress & Exhibition, which is being held in Bali, Indonesia, November 17-19, 2014.