The supply chain of Lincoln graduates to the third largest logistics company in the world was formalised today.
Associate Professor in Supply Chain Management, Dr Mark Wilson from the Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce, recommended one of his students to global firm Kuehne + Nagel, in 2007, to help with a project.
The student excelled, and a relationship quickly established that has seen more than 30 Lincoln graduates join the company, working in New York and around the world.
“We have been operating and growing this relationship for some time. It essentially revolves around a graduate recruiting scheme where they recruit Lincoln graduates directly from here for their New York and North American offices, and we facilitate that process by running seminars for interested students on campus,” Associate Professor Wilson said.
“We are now at a stage whereby Kuehne + Nagel would like to formalise this already excellent working relationship with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).”
Two of Kuehne + Nagel’s senior managers, Marcus Reimann, Senior VP North American Trade and Stephen Pierson Massey, VP North American Trade, were at Lincoln today to sign the MOU, as well as meet staff and students.
Associate Professor Wilson said today highlighted Lincoln’s drive to build international partnerships with not only academic and research institutions, but also with businesses.
He said Kuehne + Nagel were intrigued at how a small University in New Zealand keeps “turning out these wonderful students”.
“We get to know the students very well as they progress through their courses so we know the people they are looking for and can see those traits in students and develop them.
“Lincoln’s Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Supply Chain Management is also a relatively unique programme in New Zealand as it focuses on relevant industry contexts and mixed delivery of learning, which produces work ready graduates.
“The degree is extremely relevant to all industries and presently we can’t seem to supply enough graduates,” Associate Professor Wilson said.
“We mainly focus on supply chain management graduates (as this suits the United States special skills work visa requirements) but other graduates are also recommended and do well.
“Virtually all our graduates have had highly successful starts to their careers, with a number being selected for accelerated promotion or advancement.
“It’s great to be able to be a part of making that happen, and another great reason to study business at Lincoln.”