Abu Dhabi in the UAE will be the setting for a new ‘immersive five-day programme’ allowing university students, both regional and international, to gain academic knowledge and practical experience of the healthcare logistics sector.
The inaugural Pharma Logistics Winter University, co-founded by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Etihad Cargo, Pharma.Aero, the University of Antwerp and Khalifa University of Science and Technology, is set to begin on 3 February 2025 and will run until 7 February.
It is aimed at ‘bridging academic learning with practical application to cultivate future global leaders in pharmaceutical logistics’. As well as students, the programme is open to management trainees and junior professionals in fields such as such as supply chain, transportation and pharmacy.
Participants of the scheme, which is set to take place annually in Abu Dhabi, will gain access to workshops, case studies, field visits, expert-led discussions and networking opportunities with global leaders in pharmaceutical logistics. They will also earn three European Credit Transfers (ECTs) and a micro-credential certificate upon successful completion of the programme.
Professor Ernesto Damiani, dean of the College of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, and Director of the Center for Cyber-Physical Systems (C2PS) at Khalifa University, commented: “As a leading research-intensive higher education institution focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, Khalifa University is pleased to collaborate with partners in Europe and in the UAE to host the immersive five-day Pharma Logistics Winter University.
“The initiative is in line with the UAE’s vision to create a life sciences and healthcare ecosystem and Khalifa University’s mandate to develop human capital that will be crucial to the country and the region in this field. We believe the expertise and the synergy resulting from this industry-academia collaboration will benefit the larger global community in general.”
The announcement of the Pharma Logistics Winter University follows the launch of the Pharma Logistics Masterclass in Abu Dhabi 2022, and is intended to complement the existing scheme.
Professor Dr Roel Gevaers, professor at the University of Antwerp and chair of the Pharma Logistics Winter University, said: “After the very successful Pharma Logistics Masterclass in Abu Dhabi in 2022, I am very proud that we will organise the first-ever Pharma Logistics Winter University in Abu Dhabi in February 2025.
“This winter university is a formal course worth three lecture credits and is addressed to Master’s and Bachelor’s students and Management Trainees. This course again underlines the strong relationship between Belgium and Abu Dhabi and their value as powerhouses of pharma knowledge worldwide. We are also very proud as University of Antwerp that this course is not a one-time event: it will be organised yearly in Abu Dhabi.”
Also being held in Abu Dhabi this year are two exciting events for logistics and supply chain professionals in the MEA region, organised by Akabo Media – the publisher of Logistics Manager!
Following 29 successful editions in the UK and USA, the first-ever Supply Chain Excellence Awards MEA, will be held at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers on 26 May 2025. The awards will spotlight notable achievements and innovations within the regional industry. The Supply Chain Excellence Awards MEA welcomes submissions from end-user organisations and solution providers, such as 3PLs and consultancies, with an emphasis on partnerships and collaborative achievements. For more information and to submit an entry, please click here.
Then on 27-28 May 2025, the doors of the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi will open for IntraLogisteX MEA. This exhibition provides a focused environment for the entire industry to discover the latest innovations in logistics, supply chain, robotics and automation, through live demonstrations, interactive displays and product launches – not to mention an extensive conference programme featuring more than 30 expert-led sessions over two days. Click here to find out more about the event and register for free!
