Loughborough Business School joins Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to launch global centre and Master’s degree

Photo caption: Representatives from Lboro and MIT signing the official partnership agreement. (L-R) Professor Rachel Thompson, Professor Eric Grimson, Professor Yossi Sheffi, Professor Nick Jennings and Professor Jan Godsell

Loughborough University has partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Transportation and Logistics (MIT CTL) to be the first UK member of its Global Supply Chain and Logistics Excellence (SCALE) Network.

The union will offer an exclusive Master’s degree program for hundreds of students each year, with time divided between both Loughborough and Massachusetts, in the United States.

The centre itself will focus on research and working with industry and will join the established SCALE Network which is already operating around the world in countries such as Spain, Luxembourg, China and Colombia.

Professor Jan Godsell, Dean of Loughborough Business School, said: “The UK is a small island so we have to think very carefully about how we ensure everybody in our country has access to the things that they need, when they need them, at a price that they can afford.

“The centre will be the go-to place to develop the next generation of supply chain talent.

“We’re bringing our expertise, particularly around the circular economy and also digitisation – and at its core is a flagship MSc program in supply chain, which involves time in Boston at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an MIT certificate as well as a Loughborough degree.”

Loughborough’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings added: “Our partnership with MIT CTL really helps put us on a global stage – it’s a great partnership with a world-class university.”

The endeavour marks a significant expansion of the network, an international alliance of leading research and education centres dedicated to driving supply chain and logistics innovation through global collaboration.

With the inclusion of Loughborough University, the MIT Global SCALE Network now comprises six Centres of Excellence across four continents. These centres pool their expertise and collaborate on research projects that address real-world supply chain and logistics challenges, helping companies worldwide navigate an increasingly complex business environment.

Roger Mendonca, CEO of the Midlands Engine Partnership commented: ‘The Midlands is home to the UK’s critical infrastructure, such as food, energy and logistics, so to see the opening of this new centre in Loughborough – at the heart of the logistics ‘Golden Triangle’ – reinforces the region’s position as a leader in supply chain excellence.’

“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.”

The MIT Global SCALE Network was established in 2003 with the inauguration of the Zaragoza Logistics Center in Spain. Since then, it has expanded to include centres in Colombia, Luxembourg, China, and now the United Kingdom. The network supports over a dozen educational programs, engages more than 80 researchers and faculty, partners with 150 corporations, and boasts an alumni network of over 1200 professionals worldwide.

Organisations partnering with the MIT Global SCALE Network gain unparalleled access to expertise, innovative research, and a unique forum for knowledge exchange, while the network’s centres and students benefit from rich industry engagement and collaborative opportunities.

For more information, please visit: http://scale.mit.edu