On January 21, K16 students majoring in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the University of the Pacific Ocean (UPO) held an impressive final presentation for the course “Simulation Models in Logistics.”
The course was taught by the President of the University, People’s Teacher, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hồ Thanh Phong – a pioneer who laid the foundation for Logistics education in Vietnam. Within academic circles and the business community, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hồ Thanh Phong is widely recognized as the founder of Industrial Systems Engineering in Vietnam and one of the first scholars to introduce Logistics and Supply Chain Management into Vietnamese higher education.
Being taught and evaluated directly by a leading expert in the field enabled UPO students not only to master core theoretical knowledge but also to develop strategic thinking and gain a deeper understanding of the role of each link in modern supply chains.
Under the guidance of the University President and with technical programming support from the IoT Club (Faculty of Information Technology and Semiconductors), four student teams successfully transformed complex logistics management processes into visual, operational simulation models, presented live during the session:
- Team 1 – Automated Replenishment and Sorting Model: This model addressed a core challenge in modern warehousing through automation systems that reduce manual errors, accelerate processing speed, and optimize goods circulation.
- Team 2 – Inventory Control Model: Focusing on the “health management” of inventory flows, the team developed a monitoring process to track inventory status across hubs and warehouses, ensuring supply stability while minimizing storage costs.
- Team 3 – Airport Cargo Sorting and Handling Model: This model simulated logistics processes specific to the aviation industry, which demands high speed and accuracy. The system illustrated how cargo is received, sorted, and processed automatically to meet strict air transport standards.
- Team 4 – Transportation Tracking and Monitoring Model: By applying technology to enhance transparency across the supply chain, this model simulated real-time tracking and status updates of cargo movement, helping enterprises manage risks and improve service quality.
Speaking at the session, the evaluation panel – comprising People’s Teacher, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hồ Thanh Phong and Dr. Phan Thanh Sơn (Faculty of Information Technology and Semiconductors) – highly appreciated the students’ efforts in mastering the entire process, from idea generation and system design to hardware assembly and trial operation. The panel also provided constructive feedback, helping students identify strengths and limitations of each model and offering directions for further improvement and development.
This activity clearly reflects UPO’s educational philosophy of “Learning by Doing.” Students are not only trained to manage on paper but are challenged to think critically about how to operate warehouses more efficiently, implement tighter monitoring processes, and optimize costs in real-world logistics systems.
