The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the International Association of Maritime Port Executives (IAMPE) have formed a partnership to advance professional development in the maritime and port industry. This arrangement establishes UT’s Haslam College of Business’ Department of Supply Chain Management (SCM) as an IAMPE academic partner, with both institutions endorsing each other’s maritime and intermodal education programs. Additionally, IAMPE will offer professional certifications to qualifying students in UT’s supply chain programs.
Developing New Leadership in the Maritime and Port Industry
IAMPE and Haslam’s SCM department are dedicated to supporting port industry professionals through high-quality educational programs and joint development of new initiatives to meet the evolving needs of the global port, maritime and intermodal sectors. David Arnold, IAMPE’s executive director, called the agreement a crucial step in developing new leaders in the maritime and port industry.
“While coastal ports get much of the focus, the industry thrives from having professionals who understand inland ports and river transportation,” Arnold said. “We are thrilled to be working with UT’s Haslam College of Business to cultivate the next generation of supply chain professionals and promote awareness of all port transportation options on both blue and brown water.”
Providing Students Professional Certifications, Real-World Experience
Don Maier, associate professor of practice in supply chain logistics with Haslam, has strong connections with IAMPE, having earned its highest certification, Accredited Maritime Port Executive. He also serves on the IAMPE’s board of advisors and chairs its education committee, ensuring programmatic quality and content. With his extensive knowledge of IAMPE and the maritime industry, Maier has developed a new course for Haslam in port and intermodal operations, the first of its kind in the SCM program. The course will also focus on the intermodal industry with strong support from the SCM department connection with the Intermodal Association of North America.
“Connecting our supply chain students to professional industry associations further enriches our programs by instilling more direct, real-world experience into the content,” Maier said. “Students who complete the course will earn the IAMPE’s Marine Terminal Operator certification, demonstrating they possess essential skills to compete in the global maritime industry.”
Maier added that this collaboration is only the beginning of what the department hopes to accomplish with the IAMPE. “We would like to move forward with other certificate programs at the graduate level, continuing education and even executive-level training,” Maier said.
About Haslam’s Department of Supply Chain Management
Haslam has one of the most comprehensive, forward-thinking and highly regarded supply chain management programs in the world, with U.S. News & World Report and Gartner consistently rank it among the top five programs. An advisory board of more than 40 industry professionals informs its curriculum, and students develop applied skills to help improve organizational performance through supply chain management.
About the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives
The IAMPE is a non-profit industry association that provides professional development and certification for professionals at every level of their careers working in and around the maritime port industry. Programs are reviewed and approved for certification by the IAMPE’s board of advisors, comprised of 19 industry professionals. The association offers professional and accredited programs in Coastal and Inland Port Management and Executive Management, as well as certification programs for Marine Terminal Operator and IMDG/Hazardous Awareness.
Originally written by Scott McNutt, senior business writer for the Haslam College of Business