Loughborough University has recently joined the MIT Global SCALE Network, including supply chain education and research centers in Colombia, Luxembourg, Spain, and China. As the exclusive UK-based node in the Global SCALE Network, Loughborough's new UK SCALE Centre will be an important hub for researchers, industry partners, and professionals working within the supply chain sector.
This collaboration between Loughborough and MIT offers an exciting opportunity for both graduates and existing supply chain professionals to join a newly launched MSc in Supply Chain Management. This flagship program for the UK SCALE Centre, being offered for the first time at Loughborough Business School, and giving students the unique opportunity to be away for time at both MIT's campus in Boston and Loughborough Business School, would thus offer a global perspective on supply chain management.
“We have to think very carefully about how we ensure everybody in our country, and around the world, has access to the things that they need, when they need them, at a price that they can afford. Fostering the next generation of supply chain talent through initiatives like our new UK SCALE Centre master’s programme is an essential part of that”, explained Dean of Loughborough Business School, Professor Jan Godsell.
Students who successfully complete the Supply Chain Management MSc at Loughborough University will receive a Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management Certificate awarded by the MIT Global SCALE Network upon graduation. Additionally, graduates will gain Associate Alumni status from MIT, providing access to certain privileges within the MIT Alumni Association, such as the online alumni directory and networking opportunities.
A central component of the programme is the MIT SCALE Connect residential, which takes place over three weeks at the MIT campus in Boston, Massachusetts and involves participants from across the Global SCALE Network. During this period, students will engage in a series of career development workshops, seminars and industry talks.
Participants will receive advanced training in areas such as data visualisation, Python, machine learning and Llamasoft, whilst also participating in facility tours and team-based challenges. The residential concludes with a Research Expo, where students present their work on industry-sponsored and other real-world research projects.
“I am particularly excited at the opportunity for our students to experience the unique MIT culture and interact with inspiring faculty and research during their time in Boston”, said Professor Ken Lee, Loughborough Business School’s Director of Postgraduate Studies.
Loughborough University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Jennings added: “Our partnership with MIT Centre for Transport and Logistics (CTL) really helps put Loughborough on a global stage – it's a great partnership with a world-class university”.
The existing centres in Zaragoza, Bogotá, Luxembourg and Ningbo each carry their own version of a graduate programme in supply chain management, feeding into a ‘comprehensive curriculum’, modelled on the world-leading original programme from MIT.
“Loughborough University’s exceptional research capabilities and commitment to supply chain innovation make it a valuable addition to the MIT Global SCALE Network”, said Professor Yossi Sheffi, Director of MIT CTL. “Their expertise will enhance our collective ability to create cutting-edge solutions and educate the next generation of supply chain leaders”.
