1.0         BACKGROUND

PROGRAMME TITLE: BACHELOR OF TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT (BTLM)

The Bachelor of Transport and Logistics Management (BTLM) commenced in 2007 through consultations with the stakeholders and demand from the employers. This was after the realisation of the importance of transport and logistics towards competitiveness of organizations. The programme started with less than 100 students but the student numbers have tremendously increased over the 12 years. Currently the programme has over 700 students in year 1, 2 and 3 and the numbers are continuing to grow. This means there is growing demand for the programme.

1.1         Program Description

Bachelor of Transport and Logistics Management is a suitable goal for students who want to acquire extensive skills and knowledge. Beyond such acquisition, this program is intended to transform students to graduates with absorptive capacity to solve complex business problems (Transport & Logistics) with immense creativity and innovation. Students are empowered to possess integrated skills and knowledge in, accounting, transport marketing, logistics information systems, Transport and logistics modelling, Insurance in Transport and Logistics and packing and distribution

1.2   Justification for the review of the Bachelor of Transport and Logistics Management (BTLM)

Below is the justification of the programme in terms of relevance in the country, market requirements, career path and continuing education.

In the modern business environment, speed to market, reducing costs and accelerating lead times are vital for business survival. Presently, transport and logistics have developed as important functions of business. Their contribution towards organizational performance is increasingly growing and business organizations are now using them as a means to improving performance.

The globalization of production and consumption has led to a situation where logistics decision makers must constantly strive to deal with the complex challenges associated with internationally distributed production, trade and transport networks. In order to ensure and maintain profitability and competitiveness, organizations need to constantly review their logistical requirements in order to adapt to potentially volatile changes in customer demand and technological developments. As such, logistics has now become a boardroom issue. It has moved from being a middle management position to being a senior executive one as the management of the flow of materials and goods into and out of the organisation have a significant impact on customer service and organizational costs. It is increasingly being recognized as a factor that shapes a company’s success and can thus be used as competitive advantage.

With the popularity of oil sector development in Uganda, logistics has been fronted as significant sector. As Uganda moves into oil extraction, the logistics side needs to be active and ready to support the operations. Logistics is also the main function in humanitarian supply chain to deliver relief to the affected people. Besides that, setting up of hubs to aid on storage of materials has also been found to be important in humanitarian logistics.. Economically, logistics industry has been found to be inseparable from economic growth since it contributes to the effective movement of materials and other inputs around the country. Because of the significance of the sector, the government has been made to intervene through different agencies like the Ministry of Works and Transport, freight forwarders association etc. This is evidenced through the diversification of transport infrastructure which covers air, water, road and railway and the creation of a transport and logistics policy.To further demonstrate the importance of logistics key logistics issues were highlighted in the budget speech of 2019/20.

In Uganda the transport and logistics industry is facing numerous challenges that need to be addressed. These include insufficient skilled manpower to enhance transportation systems, ever increasing traffic congestion in the cities, increasing transport costs, poor transportation planning, poor public transportation systems, and over dependence on one mode of transport (road). A number of individuals and organizations in Uganda lose their goods during transit, there are massive delays in clearing goods at the ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam and this is attributed to ignorance on sea port management and clearance procedures. The country is also experiencing high rates of accidents commonly with road transport due to poor policy formulation and implementation, and high costs at Inland Container Depots (ICDs) due to insufficient knowledge in customs clearance and procedures.

  • Market Requirements/Target Market

There are several gaps in the management of Transport and Logistics in Uganda, which have various implications. After consultations with the stakeholders (refer to section 1.6) in the market it was revealed that employers demand candidates who are fully grounded in logistics and transport. The market demands Chief Transport officers, Logistics officers in Army, Police, Prisons and Humanitarian agencies like UNHCR, WFP, Red Cross etc., and fleet managers, customs agents, clearing and forwarding related jobs among others. To get employed in these positions an applicant must have done a full programme in transport and logistics management. This means it is not possible to offer transport and logistics courses under any other programme. In addition to that, there is a lot that needs to be covered in this area and cannot fully be covered if this programme was to be offered as an option under other programmes.

The continuous demand for qualified logistics professionals on the market. This evidence by the job advertisement,

The programme that started with less than 100 students has had its numbers increase tremendously over the last 12 years. Currently the programme has over 700 students (year 1, 2 and 3). This means there is growing demand for the programme from the market.

  • Career Prospects of the Programme

 The programmes’ broad approach prepares graduates for positions like Chief Transport officers, Logistics officers in Army, Police, Prisons and Humanitarian agencies like UNHCR, WFP, Red Cross etc., fleet managers, clearing and forwarding related jobs among others. Graduates frequently go on to successful careers in areas such as distribution, manufacturing, retailing, airport or airline and many more including working as Logistics officers in Army, Police, Prisons. They can also work with specialist providers of humanitarian logistics in aid agencies e.g., UNHCR, WFP, Red Cross, transport and logistics departments of national and multinational organizations. The course also provides opportunities for those wishing to broaden their skills in managing vehicle fleets.  This is in both the public and private sector.

Public Sector

In the government sector, there is a full Ministry of Works and Transport with a Transport directorate in charge of Transport regulation and transport services and infrastructure. The ministry also has a Transport Licensing Board, National Roads Safety Council and the Engineering and works directorate. Other than Ministry of Works and Transport there so many other government departments with plenty of employment opportunities in the area of transport and logistics management whose jobs specifically requires students/candidates who are fully grounded in the transport and logistics management. These may include Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Kampala City Council Authority, Uganda Revenue Authority, Police Traffic department, Police Fleet Department, Civil Aviation Authority Uganda Railways (Rift Valley Railways), Civil Aviation Authority, UPDF, Police, and Prisons to mention but a few.  All this presents employment opportunities for our graduates.

 Private sector

According to the Uganda Clearing Industry and Forwarding Association (UCIFA) there are over 200 companies licensed by Uganda Revenue Authority engaged in provision of logistics services and many are continuing to join this business. This therefore presents plenty of employment opportunities in these companies. Other than clearing and forwarding firms there are plenty of private firms with transport and logistics needs that can be met by transport and logistics graduates.

  • Continuing Education

To enhance professional opportunities in the field, graduates can pursue certification from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and the American Society of Transportation and Logistics (ASTL). There is also a proposal to introduce a Master of Science in Transport and Logistics Management to help students, further advance their career.

The revival of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Uganda Chapter is a reflection that Logistics is not just a national or regional challenge but rather Global

Currently in Uganda, there a few qualified persons in the field of transport and logistics management. This course will train graduates who will fill this gap. The department has already established relationships with other Universities in this area such as University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), University of Alexandria (Egypt) and Molde University (Norway) which are teaching this programme up to the PhD Level hence setting the trend in this area in Uganda. A number of lecturers have already benefited from this scheme.

Once students have completed the undergraduate degree, they can enrol for a Master of Logistics management degree program. Earning this degree offers individuals an opportunity to become executives with an organization or company. A postgraduate diploma in Transport and Logistics management is also available. Students can join CILT. The undergraduate degree has been amalgamated with business and management and graduates of this programme are able to get exemptions once they enrol for professional courses.

In summary, this demonstrates that Bachelor of Transport and Logistics degree has a clearly established career path both locally and internationally.

1.3         Programme Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of the Bachelor of Transport and Logistics Management is to produce high quality and skilled graduates in the field of transport and logistics management with a clear understanding of the foundation and aspects of transport and logistics, and general business management. The programme is in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) II and Vision 2040 which states that infrastructure and human capital development are upheld as fundamental enablers for socio-economic transformation of the country. The detailed course objectives are to:

  1. Provide students with the principles and practices, knowledge and attributes of a Logistic professional required in the increasingly complex global business environment.
  2. Develop the knowledge and skills in the development and operation of integrated logistics, supply management, warehousing, inventory, transport and sustainable business relationships in an international business environment.
  3. To understand the impact of logistics functions and their integration with other business functions.
  4. To assess, monitor and maintain quality systems in logistic through the effective use of information technology, human resources and accounting processes.
  5. Enable students to research, critique and evaluate the implementation of cost-effective solutions to assist enterprises enhance their competitive advantage.
  6. Develop independent and academic learning skills, thereby facilitating graduates ongoing professional development, including further study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

1.3.1        Specific Programme Objectives

  1. To provide career – minded graduates and professionals with the opportunity to obtain the underlying theory and practical skills necessary for instituting change and strategic thinking in their organizations as far as Transport and Logistics Management is concerned.
  2. To develop knowledge of the contextual framework within which Transport and Logistics Management operates; both in the private and public sectors.
  3. To develop an understanding of the current global Transport and Logistics reforms and how they can affect the competitiveness of organizations where the participants are likely to find employment.
  4. To increase the number of trained people in the areas of transport and logistics management in the country and therefore build management capacity in the transport and logistics sector.
  5. Avail an opportunity to aspiring managers and practitioners to acquire formal and professional training in transport and logistics management.
  6. Enhance research competences of the staff in faculties and research departments in the field of transport and logistics management
  7. To develop capacity in entrepreneurship, research, policy and consultancy in the field of transport and logistics management.

1.3.2        Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes are developed through a collaborative continuous improvement process that integrates input from the university and business communities. After successfully completing the programme, the student shall be able to:

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding in Logistics and Transport Management, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialized knowledge in certain areas of the field
  • Formulate transport and logistics policies for the organization and the country as a whole
  • Undertake transport and logistics planning
  • Assess the legal aspects of transport, traffic and logistics activities;
  • Evaluate both domestic and international transportation problems and effectively develop and present actionable solutions.
  • Apply inventory models and techniques to create and recommend appropriate stocking solutions in various business settings.
  • Evaluate and recommend warehouse and distribution strategies, tactics, and systems to ensure companies efficiently and effectively manage their distribution processes at the regional, national, and international levels.
  • Be able to identify and assess tradeoffs between the three key areas of transportation, inventory, and distribution management and recommend actionable plans and strategies.