WELCOME SPEECH BY CHAIRMAN, TLI-AP, MR PETER HO AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF THE LOGISTICS INSTITUTE – ASIA PACIFIC ON TUESDAY, 24 JULY 2001, AT 3.30P.M. AT THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE AUDITORIUM, NUS

Brigadier General Yeo, Minister for Trade and Industry

Prof Shih Choon Fong, Vice-Chancellor, National University of Singapore

Prof Jean-Lou Chameau, Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology

Distinguished guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

Today is the official opening of The Logistics Institute – Asia Pacific (TLI-AP). I would like to welcome you to this significant milestone in the development of TLI-AP.

The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific  
  

TLI-AP is modelled after the Logistics Institute at Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, which has been ranked the top graduate-level industrial-engineering school for the eleventh year in a row by the US News and World Report. I would like to thank Georgia Tech for its strong support for TLI-AP. Georgia Tech’s involvement in TLI-AP is part of EDB’s strategy to bring in top educational institutions to Singapore.

TLI-AP aims to establish itself as the premier institute for nurturing logistics excellence in the Asia Pacific. The activities of TLI-AP will also strongly support Singapore’s aim to be a logistics hub by providing professional logistics manpower and delivering cutting-edge research and development in logistics engineering, technology, and management.
  

Five leading governmental agencies have played an important part in the establishment of this institute. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, the Trade Development Board, the Economic Development Board, the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore, and the National Science and Technology Board for their strong support.
  

Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by both NUS and Georgia Tech in late 1998, TLI-AP has made steady progress toward its goal of positioning Singapore as a leader in logistics education, research, and industry outreach.

Future Major Programmes In TLI-AP
  

It is my pleasure to announce the future programmes that TLI-AP will offer:

     ·  A research program in global-supply-chain logistics

     ·  A Leaders in Logistics program

     ·  A Dual Masters of Sciences Degree program

     ·  A Professional Education program
  

Research Programme
  

The Institute will offer a research program on global supply-chain logistics. This programme will focus on the Asia Pacific, and emphasise in information technology. The four research areas are:

     ·  Information technology in logistics

     ·  Logistics modelling and optimisation

     ·  Supply-chain networks and systems, and

     ·  Decision support tools and software
  

These research programs will be done in collaboration with the industry.

Leaders in Logistics
  

TLI-AP wants to play an important role in supporting to development of industry in Singapore.
  

TLI-AP’s flagship industry-outreach programme is the Leaders in Logistics programme. TLI-AP will undertake joint industry research projects with Leaders in Logistics programme-member companies to innovate and to improve supply-chain efficiency.
  

I would like to give special thanks to the nine participating logistics companies for their continued support and commitment in our Leaders in Logistics programme. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage more companies to join and work with us in this programme.

Dual Masters Degree in Logistics
  

TLI-AP’s dual Masters degree programme has been well received. This afternoon, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome the 28 students who were enrolled into the inaugural dual Masters degree programme, which began its first semester earlier this month. They were selected from a slate of 130 applications. These 28 outstanding students can look forward to receiving a comprehensive education from NUS as well as Georgia Tech. They will graduate well equipped with the skill sets required for a career in the logistics industry.

Professional Education in Logistics
  

Continuous education and training are essential part of the strategy to make Singapore a world-class logistics hub. Towards this end, TLI-AP will provide a platform for continuous education and training for logistics practitioners. These professional education and training courses will be conducted throughout the year by established executive trainers from NUS and Georgia Tech. For example, we shall be conducting a two-day course Logistics and Supply-Chain Strategy next week. We look forward to your active participation.

Conclusion
  

We are indeed honoured to have the Minister for Trade and Industry, BG Yeo, NUS Vice-Chancellor Professor Shih Choon Fong, and the Georgia Tech Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs Professor Jean-Lou Chameau join us at today's event. We are grateful to them for their encouragement, guidance, and support.
  

But most of all, the success of TLI-AP will depend on developing strong links with industry, and on building a reputation for academic and research excellence. A successful TLI-AP will strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading integrated logistics and supply-chain management hub in the Asia Pacific.
  

Thank you.