Dr. Tulio Sulbaran, an associate professor in The University of Southern Mississippi School of Construction, has been named director of its Center for Logistics, Trade and Transportation. The Center was recently approved by the State Board of Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL).
Providing collaborative, interdisciplinary research and outreach to support the economic development of the region, the Center will be a resource to port and land transportation authorities involved with major trade and transportation developments. It will also support the research and academic needs of students and professionals.
With imports and exports doubling every 10 years, containerized cargo has been estimated to increase by more than 350 percent by 2020. This growth is also expected to increase with the expansion of the Panama Canal in 2015 or 2016.
“I think we are currently in an excellent position in time in Mississippi,” said Sulbaran, who joined the Southern Miss faculty in 2002. “What the university would like to achieve is when the countries in Central America and South America ship their goods to the U.S., the first thing that comes to mind is the Port of Gulfport.
“In a few years we know that the Panama Canal expansion will be completed and, with that expansion there will be more freight traffic through the Gulf of Mexico.”
After receiving a $50,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Southern Miss School of Construction and Department of Economic and Workforce Development is developing a new interdisciplinary graduate program to teach the advanced skills needed to address the challenges and opportunities created by global trade.
The university is awaiting approval from IHL to offer a master’s degree in logistics, trade and transportation. This interdisciplinary degree would provide students with the management and administrative skills required for advancement in organizations involved with the movement of goods.
“The logistics, trade and transportation master’s degree program will prepare professionals for this new global economy and serve a niche not addressed nationally by logistics/transportation education and research centers,” said School of Construction professor David Marchman.
For more information, visit the Southern Miss Gulf Coast School of Construction at www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/gcscitech/construction.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.