UNBSJ and J.D. Irving, Limited Establish 1st Undergraduate Supply Chain Management Course In Atlantic Canada

    SAINT JOHN, NB, Jan. 10 /CNW/ - The first Supply Chain Management course
will officially begin at UNB Saint John on January 10, 2008. The course has
been developed jointly by Dr. Richard Cho and the J.D. Irving, Limited
Purchasing Group. An estimated 20 students are expected to participate in the
inaugural 4th year course, which will be offered once a year. In addition,
students will be eligible for a $2500 prize to be awarded as part of a
practical case competition dealing with a real business situation. Students
will compete to provide the best supply chain solution for a particular
business case based on a number of real variables.
    "A cost-effective supply chain is key to the competitiveness of every
business," explained Jim Jordan, Vice President of Purchasing for J.D. Irving,
Limited. "This course focuses on sharing with students the key elements
involved in successfully managing today's global supply chain. This new course
would not be possible without the expertise and support of Dr. Richard Cho.
His commitment to the development of this program has been critical in
realizing the first supply-chain management undergraduate course in Atlantic
Canada."
    "When J.D. Irving, Limited communicated their desire for a local supply
chain management course, it allowed us to investigate the feasibility of
providing such a course for our students," said Regena Farnsworth, Acting Dean
of Business at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John. "J.D. Irving,
Limited has placed 198 UNB Saint John business co-op students since 1992 and
we are pleased to offer this new course that will benefit our students and
companies throughout the region."
    "The case competition is based on a real business situation at J.D.
Irving, Limited and will allow students to explore their potential to solve
important issues in supply chain management," said Dr. Richard Cho, instructor
of the new course. "I look forward to seeing how our students, the next
generation of supply chain management specialists, will perform against the
cases they are confronted with."
    "New Brunswick is home for our company and we are committed to growing
the potential and building the skill of local university students," said Jim
Irving, President of J.D. Irving, Limited. "This initiative is about ensuring
that talented young people have the training, mentorship, and workplace
experience to become the best they can be - right here at home in New
Brunswick. Over the next five years we will hire approximately 100 new
business graduates."
    This initiative is part of J.D. Irving, Limited's $1 million donation
made last year to the Faculty of Business Administration at UNB Saint John.

    PICTURE AVAILABLE


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For further information: Dan Tanaka, University of New Brunswick, (506)
648-5697; Mary Keith, J.D. Irving, Limited, (506) 632-5122