International Summer in Barcelona: Discovering the Smart and Sustainable Supply Chain
A group of students from the Master's Degree in Engineering with a Specialization in Quality and Productivity Systems of Tecnológico de Monterrey's Digital Graduate Program had the opportunity to live an enriching academic adventure this summer in Barcelona, Spain. The program, organized by Tecnológico de Monterrey's Center for Sustainable Smart Logistics, provided a unique immersion into the world of the international supply chain.
The course, aimed at graduate students from semester, quarterly and interested in Supply Chain topics, had a clear objective: to provide first-hand knowledge of logistics strategies and structures from a practical perspective. Participants had the opportunity to explore the latest trends in logistics and visit key infrastructures to meet up close with those responsible for their implementation.
The immersion, held from June 26 to July 6, 2023, was led by two outstanding tenured professors, Dr. Ericka Zulema Rodriguez and Dr. Luis Enrique Herrera, who guided the students through a transformative experience. The course agenda was diverse, ranging from lectures on logistics trends to visits to companies and port facilities in Barcelona and Civitavecchia, Italy.
The lectures, delivered by industry experts, covered key topics such as the latest innovations in intelligent warehouse management, maritime logistics, rail logistics and air transport. In addition, the integration of freeways of the sea into intermodal logistics chains was discussed, as well as the competitive analysis of operations and costs in different modes of transport. Sustainability was also at the center of the discussion, with sessions on environmental costing and CO2 emissions.
The practical part of the course was especially enriching, as students faced real logistics scenarios, solving problems, addressing constraints and leveraging competitive advantages. The highlight was the maritime experience, where they made a cargo ship voyage from the port of Barcelona to Civitavecchia, Italy, with a half-day stopover in Rome.
Comments from participants reflected the excellence of the course and its impact both professionally and personally. Some expressed how the experiential experience allowed them to grow in both aspects, while others highlighted the opportunity to expand their professional network and make new friends in an international context. Interaction with logistics experts and direct observation of logistics operations in the field left a lasting impression on each student.
One of the most valuable aspects was the comparison of Mexico's logistics capabilities with European countries such as Spain and Italy. This allowed the students to size up the potential and challenges Mexico faces in the international supply chain arena, opening new perspectives for development and innovation in the field.
International Summer in Barcelona, organized by and the Center for Sustainable Smart Logistics at Tecnológico de Monterrey and La Escola Europea Intermodal Transport, proved to be a resounding success, leaving participants eager for future opportunities. Without a doubt, this immersion was a window into an exciting and dynamic supply chain world, where innovation and sustainability come together to shape the future of international trade.
So, if you are interested in exploring the logistics of the future from a practical perspective and living an international experience that will change your view of the supply chain, keep an eye out for future calls from Tecnológico de Monterrey - the International Summer in Barcelona could be the academic adventure you've been waiting for!