University of Wisconsin-Superior students in the TRSP 300 Supply Chain Management class, part of the transportation & logistics management and supply chain management programs, took part in the Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition sponsored by the United Nations Group of Friends for Sustainable Transport during the Fall 2023 Semester.

In this international event, the UW-Superior team of Hayden Thomas and Mitchell Hecimovich achieved a significant feat by securing third place in the “Best Sustainable Solution” category and an impressive second place in the Americas region.

The global competition brought together more than 250 students worldwide, organized into 71 teams, to tackle global supply chain challenges while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students could choose a case representing sustainability challenges faced by various local and international companies. They engaged in supply chain sustainability training programs and formulated solutions aligned with the key principles of sustainability – people, planet and profit.

In the first stage of the regional competition, participants were required to submit a comprehensive case analysis using the Press Release and Frequently Asked Questions (PR/FAQ) format. Following this, 35 outstanding teams were chosen to present their solutions before a panel of judges in the second regional round. From this group, the top 12 finalist teams proceeded to the ultimate global round, refining their presentations based on valuable feedback from the judging panel, which included esteemed industry representatives from the World Bank Group, the United Nations Global Compact, Maersk, International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, International Center for Transport Diplomacy, TT Club and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). In a remarkable achievement, the UW-Superior team secured the third-place position in the final competition.

“Sustainability is a key consideration in transportation and supply chain management,” said Khadija Ajmal, Ph.D., assistant professor of transportation & logistics management, and advisor to the UW-Superior teams. “Participation in this competition allowed students to think beyond profitability to uncover strategies that help the environment as well. This success not only showcases the diligent efforts of our students, but also highlights the robustness of the T&L and supply chain management programs at UW-Superior.”

Thomas, majoring in the transportation and logistics management, expressed enthusiasm about the competition.

“My experience with the Global Sustainability Supply Chain Competition has been the highlight of my semester and even my broader time here at UW-Superior,” said Thomas. “The competition was hard work, but I felt confident and well prepared to face off against the over 70 other teams from universities around the globe. Making it past the first round was exciting, but winning 3rd place for the best sustainable solution overall, second place in the Americas, has been an amazing and humbling achievement.

“This was my first time participating in any competition related to supply chain and logistics management on behalf of the university, but I look forward to competing again in the future with the help of my advisors and professors, specifically Dr. Ajmal.”

“Initially, I was hesitant to participate in this competition, seeing it as just another task to complete,” said Hecimovich, a transportation and logistics management major. “However, after developing a solution, I was immediately hooked. Winning this competition was not only a representation of Hayden and me, but also of the transportation and logistics management program, and most importantly, UW-Superior. The knowledge gained in our transportation and logistics courses contributed to creating our simple, yet sustainable solution. I highly recommend this competition for future students.”

Winners will not only receive award certificates but will also be offered complimentary enrollment in the Global Supply Chain Classroom’s Post-Graduate Global Supply Chain Certification program.