Historical Overview

 

The continuous growth of the port sector in the country calls for excellence human resources training at practical, tactical and strategic level for the port, transport and logistics sectors. 

Thanks to an alliance between Universidad del Norte (UniNorte) and Dutch organization STC-Group (STC) –considered amongst world leaders in terms of training for maritime, port, transportation, and logistics sectors and related petrochemical industry-, on Monday March 17th, 2014 the launch of the project for the development and implementation of a Port, Transport and Logistics Centre of Excellence within the framework of ‘Cátedra Europa 2014' in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia became official.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of UniNorte and STC and special guests from the various sectors. Jesús Ferro Bayona, Rector of UniNorte, expressed being grateful for the alliance and assured that this project will change society, both at regional as well as at national level.

Albert Bos, Director of STC-Group Holding B.V., assured that the Centre will serve the purpose of aiding the country's economy and, above all, its population; but he also confirmed that the process of learning is going to be a two-way street. "With this agreement we will also be learning from Colombia, because the learning is mutual, we are not just here to say what should and what should not be done. The idea is to find joint solutions", he said.

Robert Van Embden, ambassador of The Netherlands in Colombia, assured that the alliance is a must for the city. "Barranquilla has the vocation of becoming a great entry and exit port, and in our opinion, has a great growth perspective, for that purpose the city needs good ports, not just in terms of infrastructure, but also in terms of management", he stated.

Over the next 12 months, the creation of the Centre, the first in its kind in this country, was established. The project is partly being funded by the Dutch government.

The lines of work in which the group of experts of UniNorte and STC train to specialize professionals in these areas are, amongst others: Terminal Management, Port Management, Safety & Security, Inland Shipping Management, Communication and Leadership, Economy and Intermodal Transport.

STC, having its headquarters in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, is a worldwide known strategic combination of education, training, research, support and consultancy and implementation services provider for the entire shipping, port, transport and logistics chain, as well as for the port-related (petro) chemical industry.

 The educational and training programs offered by STC cover all European levels, from 1- (vocational) to 5+ (Post Graduate and Master). STC-Group has taken the initiative to start the "Netherlands Maritime University Rotterdam". This University is accredited and offers a Master Shipping and Transport Program.

The alliance allows for UniNorte to become STC's strategic partner to take care of a big share of the Latin-American market and in many occasions to travel to The Netherlands to specialize in these topics.

The Centre will begin with offering short programs, courses, specialization programs, consultancy services and investigation development. In the future it is expected to lay the foundations for the consolidation of a Masters in this topic, in a similar manner as STC has accomplished in The Netherlands and in other parts of the world.

Supporting Organizations

 

                 


Supporting Institutes: