FORGING HER PATH
Shereen Nassar, global director of Logistics Studies and the director of the M.Sc. Logistics and Supply Chain Management Programmes at Heriot-Watt University Dubai discusses her career path and success in the supply chain and logistics industry
Shereen Nassar, global director of Logistics Studies and the director of the M.Sc. Logistics and Supply Chain Management Programmes at Heriot-Watt University Dubai discusses her career path and success in the supply chain and logistics industry
What was your path to becoming a Professor teaching supply chain and logistics? (education, Ërst jobs etc.)
In the year 2012, I obtained my Ph.D from Bath University. It was during this time when I was introduced to the intricacies of supply chain and logistics. Back then, RFID and tracking had just been introduced and I was fascinated by their role in supply chain. I was keen to understand how technology in general could impact business operations, the changes it could bring about and more.
As a result, I found myself completing my Ph.D with a focus on achieving advantages in supply chain through the use of new technologies.
Post completing my Ph.D, I went on to teach at various universities in Egypt as an assistant professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management. Prior to my appointment at Heriot-Watt University, I worked for another UAE higher education institution as the director of both postgraduate and undergraduate Logistics and Supply Chain Management programmes. In 2014, I was invited as a visiting scholar at the Logistics Research Centre, at Heriot-Watt University, in Edinburgh. I have also published several research papers and book chapters in areas such as automotive recall risk and social sustainable supply chain performance, sustainable maritime logistics, supply chain information security, contemporary disruptive business applications of blockchain technology, smart cities and implementation challenges.
What fascinates you about the supply chain and logistics industry?
There are several things I find fascinating about this industry.
The first is that to me, supply chain means a completely new way of looking at business. When you consider this aspect, the focus shifts from the individual business to the value chain that gives companies a competitive advantage in the industry.
The next is the role of technology. The advent of new technologies such as robots in warehouses, use of AI to track fulfilment and inventory, the use of drones and driverless vehicles for delivery and more are changing the supply chain landscape as we know it. The application of new technologies in logistics is very relevant as well as important.
Finally, I am very passionate about the fact that supply chain is a crucial aspect of business that students and working professionals should be aware of. Its impact is significant, and this is a dynamic industry. While teaching supply chain and logistics is primarily at a PG level, we have started to introduce this subject to UG students as well, in line with market requirements and the fact that all academic disciplines today call for a practical approach.
What is the next step in your career?
I was recently made the global director for Supply Chain and Logistics Programme for all Heriot-Watt campuses across the world. This means that we are today teaching this subject to a large group of students in the UK, UAE and Malaysia. This is a big step, as well as responsibility for me. It requires global perspective and international knowledge of market trends, challenges and business requirements. The next big step for me is to think about how to deliver this programme in a way that is valuable to students and working professionals, help them develop the skills necessary to be employable and address market requirements.