On Monday, the University of Luxembourg and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) signed an agreement connected with Luxembourg's Centre for Logistics at the University's Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance in Kirchberg.

The cooperation agreement with MIT aims to support the University of Luxembourg in the creation of the future “Luxembourg Centre for Logistics”, a centre for research,

teaching and knowledge transfer in supply chain management and logistics that will be integrated into the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance.

The ceremony was undertaken in the presence of the President of the University of Luxembourg, Professor Dr. Rainer Klump, and the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, Professor Dr. Stefan Braum, together with Marc Hansen, Secretary of State for Higher Education and Research in Luxembourg, and Professor Yossi Sheffi, Director at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics.

Rector Rainer Klump stated "I believe it opens up a lot of other opportunities for the faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, and for the Logistics Cluster in Luxembourg which is one of the focus sectors of the development of the economy of the government's programme of government. With the support of industry we will be able to develop the model and vision of the university, in which logistics links with the digital agenda and making Luxembourg the Gateway to Europe". He added "I look forward to the exciting journey together".

Prof Stefan Braum stated "the work to now has been done by others, now it is up to us. There are three synergies, with management, the school of finance, as well the faculty of law". He also referred to the future Masters programme in Logistics which the university hopes to launch in 2016. He referred to the previosu collaboration between the University and MIT's Media Lab.

Prof Yossi Sheffi referred to MIT's network with other centres in Bogota and Kuala Lumpur. He argued that the future is not about resources, but is about talent. "The university that hires the best people will win". He also explained that the time taken to agree the details meant that the vision was agreed, and referred to such previous failed negotiations in Germany and Panama. "It is a wonderful day, but the work has just started" he added.

Minister of State Marc Hansen recalled meeting with Dean Klump soon after he started in his role at the university and listening to his vision of incorporating logistics in the university. He stated that his is very happy for this agreement to help develop highly-qualified people, as well as the cooperation with MIT for Luxembourg as a whole.

Photos by Geoff Thompson (L-R): Professor Dr. Stefan Braum, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance; Marc Hansen, Secretary of State for Higher Education and Research; Professor Yossi Sheffi, Director at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics; Rainer Klump, Rector at University of Luxembourg