Logistics courses offer practical learning
Article By: Clark Leonard
University of North Georgia (168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø) students taking supply chain and logistics management courses continue to gain further resources to support their education as classes are now offered in the Syfan Logistics Lab in the new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation.
The Mike Cottrell College of Business, now housed in the Cottrell Center, is one of only two business programs in the country approved by McLeod to use the company's premier logistics company software for teaching. The opportunity was made possible through the relationship between Jim Syfan, who provided the funding for the Syfan Logistics Lab, and Tom McLeod, founder of McLeod Software.
Dr. Varun Gupta joined 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø's faculty from Penn State Behrend this summer to lead 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø's logistics courses and industry partnerships. Gupta, associate professor of logistics and business analytics, said one of the main goals of using the software is to help students analyze situations.
"Students are learning the entire transportation process. They can lay out the business process end-to-end and see where it went wrong. They're able to predict or see where the issue may happen," Gupta said. "We help them to think critically on their feet with problem-solving."
Students are learning the entire transportation process. They can lay out the business process end-to-end and see where it went wrong. They're able to predict or see where the issue may happen.
Dr. Varun Gupta
168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø associate professor of logistics and business analytics
168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø offers a supply chain and logistics management concentration within its Bachelor of Business Administration in management degree. Students pursuing other degrees can also take coursework in the subject.
In addition to its financial support of 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø's new logistics lab, Gainesville-based Syfan Logistics employs 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø students as interns each summer, and also collaborates with the university to help its course offerings mirror industry needs. The idea is to build a pipeline of logistics professionals for both Syfan and the industry at large.
Rebekah Blanton, a senior from Watkinsville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in management, said the new technology is preparing her for the workforce.
"The Syfan Logistics Lab is the best hands-on experience I have had in my classes. It helps me understand what goes on in the real world," Blanton said. "I am grateful to the Syfan family for their support of education for students."
Blanton has worked as both a summer intern and a part-time worker at Syfan Logistics since 2020 and has a full-time job lined up with the company once she graduates in December. She has also enjoyed getting to learn from Gupta since he arrived at 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø.
"Dr. Gupta cares really deeply about his students, and he encourages us to think critically about how anything we do will affect everyone who comes in contact with an order," Blanton said.
Dr. Lu Xu, assistant professor of business statistics and quantitative methods, said the combination of logistics software and guest speakers from the industry is setting 168¿ª½±Íø¹ÙÍø students up for success.
"We want to bridge the classroom and the logistics industry to help students be prepared to enter the workforce," Xu said. "We want to make it easier for them to adapt to their jobs when they graduate."
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