The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Stanford University have jointly organized a Global Manufacturing course, for which exceptional students from Hong Kong and the US come under the tutelage of professors and entrepreneurial veterans in tackling real-life issues in logistics and supply chain management. The course presents a valuable opportunity for our next generation of leaders to develop global vision and enrich their portfolio in cross-cultural cooperation.

Jointly organized by the Department of Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management at HKUST and the Department of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University since 1995, the course in Global Manufacturing is now entering its 18th year. Over a time frame of 10 weeks, students are required to study in both San Francisco in the US and Hong Kong, conducting intensive research on areas including production, retail, logistics and supply chain management.

This year, the Global Manufacturing course partnered with four leading enterprises in travel, garment, software and information technology. A total of 32 students were divided into four groups, with each group comprising four students from each of both universities. Teaming up with a partner enterprise, students were to conduct research and analysis on cross-country issues and challenges facing the assigned company. Since the start of the course in January at Stanford, students kicked off their research projects with great enthusiasm and come up with in-depth analysis based on interactions with senior management, on-site visits and survey results. In March, students, as part of their training, came to HKUST and put the finishing touches on their projects, followed by a presentation of findings to the executive and senior management of the four partner companies.

The Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management Department at HKUST is committed to nurturing global leaders in the manufacturing and logistics industry. For the past 18 years, the Global Manufacturing course has fostered the Department's vision through leveraging the collective strengths of HKUST and Stanford, helping students master the global language of business and cultivate teamwork, in addition to working effectively with people of diverse cultures while networking with different levels of business professionals. Many graduates have gone on to take up leadership roles in different businesses from logistics management, quality assurance, product development to advanced manufacturing among others.