Tag Archive for: logistics education

Escola Europea explores cooperation with Ibn Zohr University to strengthen logistics education in Morocco

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The Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport continues to strengthen its collaboration with higher education institutions across the Mediterranean. During a recent visit to Agadir, representatives of the Escola met with Ibn Zohr University (Université Ibn Zohr – UIZ) to explore opportunities for cooperation in transport, logistics and international trade education.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both institutions to present their educational activities, exchange experiences, and discuss how closer collaboration could contribute to developing the next generation of logistics professionals in Morocco.

Founded in 1989, Ibn Zohr University is one of Morocco’s largest public universities, serving five regions in the south of the country—Souss-Massa, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab and Drâa-Tafilalet. Through campuses in Agadir, Aït Melloul, Ouarzazate, Taroudant, Laâyoune, Guelmim, Smara and Dakhla, the university plays a key role in higher education and regional development.

The meeting was attended by Hossine El Ihssini, Deputy Director in charge of Pedagogical Affairs, and Fouad Achemchem, Deputy Director for Cooperation, who welcomed Eduard Rodés, Director of the Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport.

From left to right: Fouad Achemchem, Deputy Director for Cooperation; Eduard Rodés, Director of the Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport; and Hossine El Ihssini, Deputy Director in charge of Pedagogical Affairs at Ibn Zohr University, during the meeting held in Agadir to explore future cooperation in logistics and transport education.

During the discussions, the Escola presented its practical approach to logistics education, its international training activities, and its digital learning initiatives, including the Port Virtual Lab (PVL)—the online simulation platform that allows students and professionals to experience international transport operations through realistic, collaborative scenarios.

One of the key topics explored was the potential integration of Ibn Zohr University into the Port Virtual Lab network. Such cooperation would enable students to participate in simulation-based learning activities alongside participants from other universities and professional training programmes, strengthening both their technical knowledge and their international collaboration skills.

Beyond student participation, both institutions also discussed opportunities to involve other organisations from the Agadir region, creating stronger links between academia, industry and the local logistics ecosystem. This collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment to preparing professionals capable of responding to the rapidly evolving challenges facing transport, ports and international supply chains.

The meeting marks an important first step towards building a long-term partnership between the Escola Europea and Ibn Zohr University, further reinforcing the Escola’s mission of promoting practical, international and collaborative education throughout the Mediterranean region.

From Classroom to Operations: Rethinking Logistics Education at CSCMP European Conference 2026

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Supply chains are changing faster than ever.

Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainability requirements and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping the way goods move around the world. Yet one important question remains: are we preparing future professionals to operate successfully in this new environment?

This question guided the workshop organised by Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport during the CSCMP Europe Conference 2026 in Madrid, one of Europe’s leading gatherings of supply chain professionals and industry experts.

Titled “From Classroom to Operations: Bridging Physical and Virtual Logistics”, the session explored how logistics education can evolve beyond traditional teaching models and create learning experiences that better reflect the realities of modern supply chains.

Participants during the workshop titled “From Classroom to Operations: Bridging Physical and Virtual Logistics”

The discussion brought together Eduard Rodés, Director of Escola Europea, Orlando Reveco, Digital Product Manager, and Valeria Munar, Community Builder, who shared different perspectives on educational innovation, industry collaboration and the role of technology in developing future logistics talent.

At the heart of the conversation was a simple idea: knowledge alone is no longer enough.

Future professionals must learn how to analyse information, collaborate with others, make decisions under pressure and understand the consequences of those decisions in complex operational environments. Developing these skills requires educational approaches that combine theory with practice and allow participants to learn through experience.

This is where simulation, gamification and digital learning environments play an increasingly important role.

Group photo of the participants of the workshop titled “From Classroom to Operations: Bridging Physical and Virtual Logistics”

During the workshop, Escola Europea presented PVL Flash, the latest addition to the Port Virtual Lab ecosystem. Designed as a fast-paced, gamified learning experience, PVL Flash challenges participants to solve real logistics and international trade scenarios by analysing data, evaluating transport alternatives and making operational decisions in real time.

Workshop facilitators from left to right: Eduard Rodés, Director of the Escola Europea; Valeria Munar, Community Builder of the Escola Europea; and Orlando Reveco, Digital Products Manager

More importantly, however, PVL Flash served as an example of a broader vision.

At Escola Europea, we believe the future of education lies in learning ecosystems that connect educational institutions, companies, ports, logistics operators and technology providers. These ecosystems enable learners to move more naturally between knowledge and application, between digital environments and real operations.

As Eduard Rodés explained during the session, “The challenge is no longer simply to transfer knowledge. We need to create learning environments where participants can experiment, make decisions and understand the impact of those decisions in contexts that increasingly resemble real operations. The closer we bring learning to reality, the better prepared professionals will be for the challenges of modern supply chains.”

The conversations held during CSCMP confirmed that this challenge is shared across the industry. Organisations are increasingly looking for ways to strengthen the connection between education and employment, improve workforce readiness and create more engaging learning experiences for future professionals.

The conference also provided an opportunity to deepen the relationship between Escola Europea and CSCMP, opening new avenues for collaboration around professional development, educational innovation and the promotion of best practices across the logistics and supply chain sector. Both organisations share a commitment to fostering talent and supporting the continuous evolution of the industry through knowledge exchange and lifelong learning.

As we continue to develop our Escola 2030 vision, these discussions reinforce our conviction that the future of logistics education will not be built by educational institutions alone. It will be built through collaboration between all actors involved in shaping the supply chains of tomorrow.

Looking ahead, Escola Europea hopes to continue contributing to CSCMP initiatives and future editions of the conference, creating spaces where educators, practitioners and technology providers can work together to address the skills and competencies that tomorrow’s supply chains will require.

The classroom remains important. But the future belongs to learning environments that bring operations closer to learners — and learners closer to operations.

Grupo Arola joins Forma’t al Port to support the development of future logistics talent

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The company becomes a new sponsor of the Escola Europea’s flagship training programme, reinforcing the connection between education and the port-logistics industry.

Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport is pleased to announce the incorporation of Grupo Arola as a new sponsor of Forma’t al Port, the training programme that connects students with the port and logistics ecosystem of Barcelona through practical, industry-oriented learning experiences.

From left to right: Alejandro Arola, President of Grupo Arola; Ariadna Arola, Chief Research and Development Officer at Grupo Arola; Eduard Rodés, Director of Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport; and Marta Miquel, Deputy Director of Escola Europea, during the signing of the sponsorship agreement that formalises Grupo Arola’s incorporation into the Forma’t al Port programme.

The agreement strengthens the collaboration between the business and educational sectors with a shared objective: supporting the development of young talent and preparing future professionals for careers in logistics, transport, and international trade.

For more than ten years, Forma’t al Port has brought students closer to the realities of the Port of Barcelona and its logistics community. Through direct interaction with companies, industry professionals, and operational environments, participants gain first-hand insight into the sector while developing both technical knowledge and transversal skills.

Today, the programme is supported by more than 35 sponsors, including public administrations, logistics-port associations, shipping companies, freight forwarders, transport operators, depots, and other key stakeholders from the sector. In addition, a network of collaborating entities, many of them port terminals, contributes to the practical training activities that form an essential part of the programme.

In 2025, Forma’t al Port celebrated its tenth anniversary, bringing together 636 students from 15 educational centres and consolidating its position as one of the leading applied training initiatives within the port-logistics sector.

The programme is structured around two complementary stages. Forma’t al Port Introduction introduces first-year students to the fundamentals of the port ecosystem and the roles of its different actors. Forma’t al Port Talent, aimed at second-year students, focuses on the development of high-performance teams in transport and logistics management, combining technical training with the enhancement of soft skills, teamwork, communication, and professional competencies.

As part of this new collaboration, Ariadna Arola, Chief Research and Development Officer at Grupo Arola, will serve as sponsor and mentor of the upcoming Forma’t al Port Talent edition. During the programme, she will share her professional experience and vision of the logistics sector with participating students, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that await future professionals.

“At Escola Europea, we firmly believe that preparing the next generation of logistics professionals requires close collaboration between educational institutions and industry. We are delighted to welcome Grupo Arola to the Forma’t al Port community and look forward to working together to inspire and support future talent,” said Marta Miquel, Deputy General Director of the Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport.

The incorporation of Grupo Arola reinforces Forma’t al Port’s commitment to bridging education and industry, ensuring that students gain the knowledge, skills, and professional connections needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected, innovative, and sustainable logistics sector.