Where it all started

Hi, I am Nishad Malik Mohamed, I am 29 and work as Consultancy and Talent Pool Coordinator at EIT Urban Mobility (EITUM). My relationship with EITUM began more than two years before I began my current position. I am an alumnus of EIT Urban Mobility Master School, and I was part of the first cohort of students who graduated in October 2022.

Growing up in a small town in South India, I had a childhood fascination towards bridges and flyovers. When I visited one of India’s biggest cities as a kid, I just so happened to see one for the first time. Back then I thought that a flyover could fix the traffic problems in my hometown. This fascination towards bridges was the reason why I chose Civil Engineering for my bachelor’s.

Even though I decided to major in civil engineering because I thought it would be the first step toward realizing my desire of working in the mobility industry, I never had the chance to do so during my career. Up until 2020, when I decided to move to Europe to do my master’s. My foray into the mobility industry began when I was accepted into the Sustainable Urban Mobility Transitions dual degree master’s program at EIT Urban Mobility (EITUM). I was able to develop a useful network within the Urban Mobility scene of two different European Cities thanks to this program’s uniqueness. I also had the chance to work with EIT Urban Mobility as an intern during my time in Barcelona.

Me at my graduation with EIT Urban Mobility

Understanding Urban Mobility

I started my internship with the Innovation team at EITUM, by developing the business plan for the innovation project HALLO. After that, I worked on developing my start-up idea with the Impact Ventures team, a project that aimed to assist the elderly and people with reduced mobility to move around our cities. I continued my career at EITUM as the Consultancy and Talent Pool Coordinator with the Academy team soon after I graduated. My main responsibility is to connect the mobility industry with the talents emerging from our various programs. The most significant lesson I took away from this experience was the value of building a strong network and being open to a wide range of ideas and thoughts.

Eye opening

The irony of my path into the mobility industry is that I now work for an organisation whose mission is to do away with the very thing that once captivated me as a child. Bridges and flyovers are something that goes against EITUM’s goal of creating more liveable urban spaces since they are a hindrance to people to whom the urban space belongs. As a kid, I would have been ecstatic to see bridges, but as I’ve learned and matured, I’ve come to see that they are yet another piece of infrastructure that makes it easier to use more motorized transportation.

What to do next

During my time within Urban Mobility industry, I have had the chance to explore many different ideas and innovations that Europe has to offer in terms of sustainability; from Sustainable Urban Logistics to designing a livable neighbourhood to accessibility for all. I believe it is something that many more people need to be made aware. For me, the first step in reaching out to people is through education. With its numerous programmes, I believe EITUM via the EIT Campus, can shape minds from the developing world to be leaders in climate, sustainability and mobility action.

The real lesson

The past two years have shown me how much Europe and its citizens contribute to the fight against climate change. Sustainable mobility could be the bridge which helps humans meet and achieve that. I want to make sure; it is something that’s accessible for All. Being part of an entity that has the potential to influence people and organizations into making a better future for all of us, is something that I am proud of.

Below are some links to some courses you might find useful:

Sustainable Urban Logistics

Designing a Livable Neighbourhood: The Woonerf Concept

Urban Mobility: Accessibility for ALL