Systems
IWI at UHH and School of Industrial Engineering at PUCV Collaborate on Innovative International Networks Project
22 November 2023, by Javier M. Ross, Professor, School of Industrial Engineering an der Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
Photo: UHH/Voß
The University of Hamburg (UHH) and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) in Chile have made a successful application in the "Concurso Fomento a la Vinculación Internacional para Instituciones de Investigación" (Competition to promote international connections for research institutions) funding call 2023 for 2024. This initiative aims to support the generation and strengthening of international networks among national and foreign institutions in scientific, technological, and innovative research. It strongly emphasizes fostering interdisciplinary perspectives to enhance global collaboration capacities across various regions of Chile and abroad.
The proposal named Ports 5.0: The Next Revolution in Sustainable Transportation represents an outstanding initiative to address the ever-increasing demands of the diverse stakeholders in the 21st century. Achieving the maximum score in the funding call, the project's primary objective is to consolidate a network of scholars dedicated to developing theoretical and practical knowledge in sustainability. The focus is specifically on decarbonization processes in the maritime ports, with tailored applications for Chilean infrastructure.
The project comprises three national and international collaboration areas: Human Capital Development, Community Engagement and Dissemination, and Knowledge Transfer. The first area focuses on nurturing and enhancing the skills and knowledge of individuals involved in the maritime sector, i.e., undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, and practitioners. The second aims to connect this base with broader academic and industrial communities to share insights and progress in sustainable port practices. This involves organizing conferences, publishing research findings, and engaging in collaborative discussions with industry stakeholders. Finally, the last prioritizes the practical application of research findings and theoretical knowledge in order to ensure that the project's insights lead to tangible improvements in port operations, emphasizing decarbonization and efficiency.
This project is a natural progression from the pre-existing "Next Generation Digital Ports" network, which incorporated an initial attempt of a summer school in maritime shipping and ports which also saw core participation from the UHH by Prof. Dr. Stefan Voß in 2023. Leveraging the expertise and insights gained from this previous collaboration, the Puertos 5.0 project aims to push the boundaries of digital and sustainable port operations.
This opportunity represents a significant advance in international academic partnerships, particularly for sustainable transportation in maritime logistics. By bridging the expertise of UHH and PUCV, the project promises to make meaningful contributions to sustainability in port operations and nurture international collaboration between the universities as well as continuing the idea of a summer school (in winter on the southern hemisphere).