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‘Graduate employability is our key priority’

Terrence Perera, Sheffield Hallam University, UK, speaks about the emergence of logistics in the educational sphere and the wide scopes it promises.

‘Graduate employability is our key priority’

Terrence Perera.

Sheffield Hallam University, UK, is regarded as one of the best modern universities in the north of England. The university provides a host of unique disciplines such as physiotherapy, social policy, tourism and events, materials technology, radiotherapy, food science and land and property management subjects.

It partners with more than 1,000 different companies, to provide students with the best possible chance of getting a placement or work experience at some of the most prestigious companies in the world. Terrence Perera, assistant dean – planning and resources (faculty of arts, computing, engineering and sciences), Sheffield Hallam University, UK, is travelling to India to forge important collaboration as well as to deliver guest lectures and attend industry conference.

He is a well-known academic, researcher and consultant in the area of computer modelling and simulation. He is one of the key architects of MSc logistics and supply chain management course, accredited by the Charted Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Charted Institute of Procurement and Supply, delivered at Sheffield Hallam University. Excerpts:

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Q. What brings you to India?

As a keynote speaker at the International Research Conference, Sir John Kothalawela Defence University, Sri Lanka, I was in the region. The Confederation of Indian Industries invited me to deliver a guest lecture on Big Data in Supply Chain Management for their MBA Supply Chain Management students at Amity University, Mumbai. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology also invited me to do a presentation to their engineering students on Industry 4.0.

Q. Kindly elaborate on your research work.

My research on challenges in the deployment of simulation technologies and exploring novel applications for simulation is about simulation being a very powerful modelling tool and deployment requires careful planning. Two major challenges are data management within simulation projects, and rapid model development and deployment.

Our research work focuses on these two issues. Simulation technology is not just for the manufacturing sector. We are currently using simulation to improve performance of hospitals. We have a well-established Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management Research Group at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

Our research work focuses on areas such as supply chain performance management, supply chain modelling and simulation, big data analytics, automation and design and planning and optimisation of manufacturing and supply chain management. We have an excellent track record in working with leading companies to develop novel solutions.

Q. What can Indian students expect from Sheffield Hallam University?

We deliver well balanced academic programmes at Sheffield Hallam University. Students will have opportunity to use state-of-the-art facilities to practice what they learn. In September 2019, we will be establishing the first ever Industry 4.0-SAP Integration lab in the UK enabling students learn the latest technologies using industry-standard systems.

Graduate employability is a key priority hence our students have access to various support systems to develop their employability skills. We have now extended some of our postgraduate provision to two years enabling students to undertake industrial placement. MSc logistics and supply chain management, MBA industrial management and MSc big data analytics now have integrated placement route.

Q. For those of us who aren’t aware,what does logistics mean? Is this subject being explored enough in the education sphere?

At SHU we have developed a unique programme in logistics and supply chain management programme which has four intertwined themes — strategy, operations management, technology and IT.

Unlike many other postgraduate programmes, typically dominated by management subjects, our programme introduces students to the latest technologies such as simulation, automation and industry standard IT systems such as SAP. Professors have developed their own case studies built on their research, consultancy and knowledge transfer activities.

Despite the growing demand for logistics and supply chain specialists in India, the Indian educations sector has been slow to introduce postgraduate programme in logistics and supply chain management.

Q. What are the scopes available in the logistics sector?

Around the world, demand for logistics and supply chain specialists is rising. Those who acquire specialist skills will enjoy accelerated career development. This course prepares students for a career as a logistics coordinator, supply chain analyst, solutions analyst, supply chain coordinator or demand analyst.

Previous graduate student of this course has gone on to work for companies like Caterpillar, a manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines; Dematic, providers of innovative logistics automation systems; NYK Logistics, which delivers fully integrated logistics solutions tailored to the needs of their customers, and Tuffnells, a parcel delivery company.

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