A thrilling new era of collaboration between academia and industry was inaugurated during the TECHLOG pilot projects' Kick Off event, hosted at the American University of Technology (AUT). This momentous occasion was graced by the presence of esteemed individuals and key stakeholders, heralding the commencement of an innovative partnership between AUT, renowned leaders in the transportation industry, and local authorities, with the shared goal of revolutionizing transportation education and practices.

The event commenced with a warm welcome from Marcel Hinain, Vice President of AUT, followed by insightful remarks from Rabih Sabra, Director General of the Beirut Chamber. Hana Nehme, Director of Projects, presented the TECHLOG project, and the event concluded with an intervention from Member of Parliament Ziad Hawat. In attendance were Dean of AUT, Dr. Ghada Hinain, along with representatives from local authorities, municipalities, esteemed professors, and distinguished figures from the transportation and petroleum sectors.

At the core of this collaboration lies TECHLOG Simulators, cutting-edge technology poised to redefine training in transportation and logistics for students and professionals. One such simulator, situated at AUT, will play a pivotal role in conducting pilot training programs focusing on three key areas: Safety, Stress, and Fatigue; Performance/Productivity; and Eco-Drive.

Participants in these pioneering pilot projects will engage in simulation-based training utilizing truck driver simulators, offering a dynamic learning experience that seamlessly integrates theory and practice. These training exercises will culminate in the issuance of joint training certificates, endorsed by both AUT and the Beirut Chamber. Importantly, these pilot activities extend beyond the academic realm, enriching the experiences of the broader AUT community, including transportation studies and municipal truck drivers.

During the kickoff event, Member of Parliament Ziad Hawat personally piloted the truck simulator to evaluate its performance. AUT formalized seven partnership agreements, further solidifying connections with the transportation industry to ensure the ongoing success of these training initiatives. Collaborative entities include IPT Company, Adham El Khatib & Sons Company, Saad Transport, CORAL, Transpetrol, and two local municipalities, Halat and Zogharta.

In this groundbreaking venture, TECHLOG promises to usher in a new era of excellence and innovation in transportation education and practices, uniting academia, industry leaders, and local authorities for a brighter future in this vital field.