The University of Toledo is hosting an international symposium and workshop Oct. 25-26, 2007 in the Student Union on Global Supply Chain, Intermodal Transportation, and Logistics Management.

“This symposium will bring together world-class researchers and practitioners to explore, analyze, and solve complex transportation, cargo handling and supply chain problems,”said Dr. Subba Rao, the symposium’s key organizer. “We’re also going to discuss the creation of an International Research Center in Global Supply Chains, Transportation and Logistics.”

The new center would showcase best practices in intermodal transportation, logistics and supply chain management.

The current symposium and workshop is attracting scholars from around the world including, India, Japan, Korea , China , Taiwan , Malaysia , Spain, and Africa, who will present papers. 

Representatives from the business world will also give presentations on topics such as supply chain practices of European firms, strategy for purchasing ocean container freight, global transportation and IT. The participants include Ford Motor Company, Dana, and Laz-Boy.  

UT is a designated University Transportation Center by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The symposium and workshop was organized by UT’s University Transportation Center and Intermodal Transportation Institute (ITI) and the College of Business Administration in collaboration with International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA).

In conjunction with the above symposium, the Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and UT’s Intermodal Transportation Institute and the Geographic Information Science and Applied Geography Center are holding the third meeting in a series aimed at increasing freight movements on the Great Lakes.

The meeting will be held in the UT Student Union, Room 2582, on Friday, Oct. 26, 2007, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The first two meetings focused on data needs and sources. This one will focus on implementing the data delivery system, including mapping ports and docks and developing a vessel tracking system. Additional discussions are planned on ship technology and ship building on the Great Lakes.