Curriculum Development and Design for University Programmes in Rail Freight and Logistics

Abstract

Background: Over the last decade rail freight in many European countries benefited significantly from innovative logistics principles. New business models have been developed, piloted and implemented to serve national and international markets. Knowledge sharing and trans-boundary skills were required to achieve this. Purpose of Study: Rail freight and logistics complement the operations of almost all other sectors; this reveals their multidisciplinary nature. To ensure the smooth operation of other sectors, rail freight and logistics have to be flexible and efficient to be able to response adequately to any changes and/or particular needs of the sectors they complement and work with. Therefore the purpose of study is that rail freight and logistics programme curricula have to be therefore flexible and efficient to be able to response adequately to any changes and/or particular needs. Sources of Evidence: Rapidly changing demands for services and goods, international trade and globalisation call for a reliable, strongly efficient rail freight system, operating at full capacity. Implementation of rapid technology advances is also needed to guarantee service of good quality is delivered. To design and operate efficient rail freight systems responding adequately to the most recent changes of the global economy and local markets creation, promotion and application of knowledge and competence crossing over subject areas have to be secured. Main Argument & Conclusions: Dictated by internationalisation and social needs the higher education is currently changing from an input-output based, professor-led approach towards a more integrated competence-based student-led approach, aiming at employing deep thinking to develop deep understanding of multi-disciplinary concepts and environment to guarantee a sustainable growth across industrial, technological and service sectors. We developed innovative curricula for an MSc in Rail Freight and Logistics (to be further discussed in the paper) which incorporates a flexible mobility-based hybrid model integrating subjects, teaching and learning methods from 4 European Universities.