The 2nd International Summer School on Smart and Sustainable Logistics

From July 5–9, 2025, the 2nd International Summer School on Smart and Sustainable Logistics was successfully held at Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) in Chengdu, China. The program featured speeches on the smart and green transition of the logistics sector, with topics including the impact of Generative AI, green transition strategies, urban–industrial symbiosis practices, smart library logistics, public–private partnership projects, and the modeling and simulation of road traffic congestion. Participants also visited the National Engineering Laboratory for Comprehensive Transportation Big Data Application Technology at SWJTU.

A dedicated PhD workshop allowed students to present their research, receive feedback from peers, and engage in academic exchange. Cultural activities, including visits to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and Du Fu Thatched Cottage, enriched participants’ understanding of Chinese culture and fostered friendships between Norwegian and Chinese students.

The summer school is a joint initiative between UiT The Arctic University of Norway and SWJTU under the Utforsk project Industry 5.0 Enabled Smart Logistics: A Global Perspective. The first edition was hosted by UiT from September 22–27, 2024. Across the two consecutive summer schools, lectures have been delivered by leading researchers and industry experts from Norway, China, the United States, Singapore, and Turkey, attracting nearly 50 PhD and master’s students from UiT, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), SWJTU, and Xi’an Jiaotong University.

The successful experience has inspired both UiT and SWJTU to continue the Summer School series beyond the current project period.