The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific

16/10/2026

Day 2 Recap | From the Vaccine Plant to a Hospital in Crisis

The second day of our workshop with Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) on 24 September 2026 followed health supplies along their full journey. Then it put participants in the decision-maker's seat.

📍 Session 1: Along the supply chain, and hands-on
• Aryanto (Bio Farma) walked through health supply chains end to end: Plan, Source, Make, Deliver. He covered production, quality control, cold-chain storage, and distribution, with one goal: the right product at the right time, place, quantity, and condition.
• Barori Budi Aji (Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center, MDMC) gave a candid look at what goes wrong in disaster logistics: logistics reduced to "goods and food", common sense instead of method, missing plans, weak accountability for donations, and unclear lines of control.
• Dr Giuseppe Timperio, Ph.D. (NUS-TLIAP) led a hands-on anyLogistix exercise on locating testing, treatment, and vaccination sites.

📍 Session 2: Playing through a crisis
• Za'aba Abdul Rahim (NUS-TLIAP) facilitated TLI-AP's serious game: Command & Control session. In this digital online game, each player plays the role of Head of Operations at a hospital facing an airborne virus outbreak, making seven weeks of procurement, management, and infrastructure decisions against the clock.
• Dr Robert de Souza (NUS-TLIAP) closed the workshop with the key takeaways and a look at where this collaboration goes next.

Over two days, we moved from shared vocabulary to national policy, from the factory floor to the last mile, and from slides to simulations. It was a privilege to learn alongside so many clinicians, hospital teams, and disaster responders.

Our deepest thanks to UMY FKIK for hosting us so warmly, and to every speaker, moderator, and participant. We look forward to continuing this partnership with UMY.
📸 Photos courtesy of UMY

16/10/2026

Day 1 Recap | Logistics & Supply Chain Management During Disease Outbreaks and Disasters

On 23 September 2026, our The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific, National University of Singapore (NUS-TLIAP) team travelled to Yogyakarta to co-deliver a two-day workshop with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY). The team was led by Executive Director Dr Robert de Souza, together with Dr Giuseppe Timperio, Ph.D., Research Manager, and Mr Za'aba Abdul Rahim, Manager and Game Master.

We thank Associate Professor Dr. dr. Supriyatiningsih Wenang, M.Kes., Sp.OG, Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Downstreaming at UMY for her warm welcome and for officially opening the event.

Dr Robert de Souza set the frame for both days: in an outbreak or disaster, logistics often decides the outcome, and preparedness must be built before the event, not during it.

📍 Session 1: From the clinical front line to national policy
Moderated by Dr. Chayati, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep.
• dr. Wulandari, Sp.EM, FICEP on what outbreaks and disasters demand of health systems and frontline teams
• Drs. Pangarso Suryotomo, M.M.B, Deputy for Prevention and Preparedness at BNPB, on Indonesia's preparedness strategy, from PPE and oxygen stockpiles to resilient health services
• Rahmawati Husein, MCP., PhD (UMY) on outbreak management and community resilience: healthy communities as the foundation of a safer Indonesia

📍 Session 2: The tools and systems behind a response
• Dr Giuseppe Timperio, Ph.D. (NUS-TLIAP) on supply chain technology: decision support for prepositioning, greenfield analysis, optimisation, and simulation
• Dhanendra Kumar Gunasekaran, COO of Value Allies Software, on the procurement challenge: buying at speed without losing control, with emergency procurement integrated into existing systems rather than competing with them

Our sincere thanks to the UMY FKIK organising team, our fellow speakers and moderators, and every participant who brought sharp questions and field experience into the room.

Day 2 recap coming next.
📸 Photos courtesy of UMY

22/08/2026

Our Executive Director, Dr. Robert de Souza, The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific, National University of Singapore, was invited to speak at the 6th ET Supply Chain Leadership Summit, Delhi, India on 20th August 2026.

Dr. de Souza shared his perspectives on “The Science of Continuity”, exploring how organisations can strengthen supply chain resilience by moving beyond reactive responses towards greater anticipation, visibility and preparedness.

As supply chains become increasingly complex and exposed to geopolitical, operational and technological disruptions, the ability to identify vulnerabilities early and translate data into actionable foresight is becoming ever more critical.

His insights on AI, scenario simulation, supply chain visibility and the changing dynamics of global trade underscore the importance of building supply chains that are not only resilient, but also agile, adaptive and future-ready.

Thank you to the organisers for the invitation and for bringing together industry leaders to advance the conversation on supply chain resilience and leadership.

https://supplychain.economictimes.indiatimes.com/supply-chain-logistics-conclave

Supply Chain Events & Conclave: ET SCM Summit 2026 brings together India's leading supply chain and logistics professionals to discuss digital transformation, AI-driven logistics, sustainable supply chains, and infrastructure innovations driving the future of manufacturing and global commerce.

11/07/2026

Thought Leadership, Learning and Partnership in Indonesia

It was a week of solid engagements for National University of Singapore (NUS) and its The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific (TLI-AP) as we strengthened engagement with partners across Indonesia.

On 6 July 2026, Professor Bernard C Y Tan, Senior Vice Provost (Undergraduate Education), National University of Singapore (NUS) and Chairman, The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific Advisory Board, delivered a keynote on “AI in Education” at PACIS 2026 - Pacific Asia Conferences of Information Systems in Jakarta, Indonesia, one of the leading information systems conferences in the Asia-Pacific region.

The event brought together academics, industry leaders and policymakers to explore the future of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, with Telkom University serving as one of the conference organisers.

At the same time, Dr Robert de Souza, Executive Director of The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific, NUS TLI-AP, participated in Telkom University's Global Learning Week (GLOW) Summer Program 2026 in Bandung as a Visiting Professor for the Data Analytics course.

Working with Industrial Engineering students, he shared how data and analytics can help organisations make better decisions, drive innovation and solve real-world business challenges.

The week reflected the growing partnership between NUS TLI-AP and Telkom University. Together, we are creating new opportunities in education, research and innovation, while strengthening talent development and relationships across Indonesia alongside our existing university partners

A sincere thank you to our new colleagues at Telkom University for their warm hospitality and partnership.

11/07/2026

🤝🇸🇬 🇮🇩

A new chapter in NUS–Telkom University collaboration

We mark the signing of an MOU between National University of Singapore (NUS) and Telkom University on 6 July 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. This was initiated at the behest of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

As Professor Bernard C Y Tan, Senior Vice Provost (Undergraduate Education), National University of Singapore (NUS) and Chairman, The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific Advisory Board, shared during the ceremony, this partnership is about building bridges between Singapore and Indonesia and creating opportunities for learning, innovation and growth.

A big thank you to our Executive Director Dr Robert de Souza for leading this alongside our new colleagues at Telkom University.

29/06/2026

Over the past two weeks, The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific successfully delivered LI5203 – Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management, bringing together participants from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) for an immersive and collaborative learning experience.

As an elective module within the NUS Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (M.Sc. SCM) programme, LI5203 offers participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of global logistics and supply chain management through an international, experiential learning environment.

Building on the momentum from Week 1, participants continued to explore key topics through engaging lectures, case discussions, collaborative activities, and cross-cultural exchanges. In Week 2, A/Prof Kok Choon Tan, Deputy Director, Centre for Maritime Studies (CMS), National University of Singapore, led the academic sessions, guiding participants as they connected theoretical concepts with real-world supply chain challenges and deepened their understanding of global logistics systems.

Beyond the classroom, the programme reflects NUS-TLIAP’s commitment to delivering industry-relevant, globally oriented education that equips learners with practical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and international perspectives.

A heartfelt thank you to our faculty, partners, and participants for their enthusiasm and active engagement throughout the programme. Your contributions made LI5203 a meaningful and enriching experience for all.

We look forward to welcoming future cohorts to NUS TLIAP programmes as we continue to develop globally minded leaders for the logistics and supply chain industry.

12/06/2026

Bringing Together Academia and Industry: A One-Day Workshop on Multi-Modal Freight Flows in Indonesia
Facilitated by Dr. Giuseppe Timperio of NUS-TLIAP

Moving freight from point A to point B is far more complex than it may appear. Indonesia exemplifies this challenge: an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, with industry clusters and population concentrated on Java, alongside highly imbalanced trade flows across regions. Navigating this intricate web of connectivity and evaluating the many modal transport options is no simple task.

Against this backdrop, The Logistics Institute – Asia Pacific and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta convened scholars from Indonesia, Singapore, and Austria, together with senior industry leaders, for a one-day workshop on multimodal freight flows in Indonesia. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Giuseppe Timperio of NUS-TLIAP, who guided discussions on the opportunities and challenges of strengthening freight connectivity across Indonesia’s diverse transport landscape.

The workshop featured a distinguished lineup of speakers who contributed valuable perspectives to the discussion. Ronald Nugroho (Cikarang Dry Port) highlighted the role of dry port terminals in easing congestion at coastal ports. Dr. Nofrisel, SE, MM, CSLP, ESLog (PT Sembada Bina Pratama/Asosiasi Logistik Indonesia) advocated for a road-to-rail modal shift on Java. Adithya Prabowo (Samudera Indonesia) explored the opportunities presented by short-sea shipping, a mode that remains underutilized despite Indonesia’s unique geography. Seng Lee Goh (PT New Priok Container Terminal One – NPCT1) emphasized that the effectiveness of a seaport depends greatly on its inland connectivity. Shanmugam Thangavelu (Accenture) provided a global cargo perspective, underscoring the growing importance of data in shaping Indonesia’s logistics future. Prof. Markus Gerschberger (Supply Chain Intelligence Institute Austria – ASCII) shared insights into global freight trends, while Prof. Kuncoro Harto Widodo (Universitas Gadjah Mada) brought the discussion back to the realities of Indonesia’s logistics landscape. Dhanendrakumar Gunasekaran (Value Allies Software Pvt Ltd) demonstrated how technology integration can create value across supply chains, and Dr. Thomy S (Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang) highlighted how cost reduction and emissions reduction can be pursued simultaneously.

Special appreciation goes to Dr. dr. Supriyatiningsih Wenang and Dr. Robert de Souza for their leadership and commitment in bringing the workshop together. Thanks are also due to Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, particularly Dede Muniroh, as well as the teams at The Logistics Institute – Asia Pacific for making this collaboration possible.

The consensus was clear: one day was not enough. The conversations initiated during the workshop have laid the groundwork for future collaboration and continued exploration of Indonesia’s freight and logistics challenges.

Indonesia is not alone in facing these complexities. Every ASEAN country grapples with its own version of the logistics puzzle, and the way Indonesia addresses these challenges will have implications for the broader region.

Photo credit: Dr. Giuseppe Timperio (NUS-TLIAP).

12/06/2026

Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management — a two-week Summer School Programme

Week 1 of 2

Photos from Week 1 of LI5203: Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management — a two-week Summer School Programme conducted with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia, held during NUS Special Term this June.

Week 1 was led by Prof Dr Robert de Souza, Executive Director, The Logistics Institute – Asia Pacific, National University of Singapore, (NUS-TLIAP), bringing together participants for an immersive learning experience focused on global perspectives in logistics and supply chain management.

The week was filled with engaging discussions, collaborative activities, and meaningful exchanges across institutions and cultures. Beyond academic learning, the programme provided opportunities to build connections, gain fresh perspectives, and deepen appreciation of how global challenges can be addressed through partnership and shared learning.

As the programme continues into Week 2, participants will continue their learning journey under the leadership of A/Prof Kok Choon Tan, Deputy Director, Centre for Maritime Studies, National University of Singapore.

Looking forward to another exciting week of learning, exchange, and discovery.

Thank you to everyone who contributed in making this programme possible.

22/04/2026

22/04/2026

In the context of a public health crisis, the "where" is just as important as the "what"—infrastructure location can be the difference between a contained outbreak and a systemic collapse.

Strengthening our ongoing partnership with National University of Singapore, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Centre for Infectious Disease Emergency Response (C***R), Dr. Giuseppe Timperio, Ph.D. from The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific, NUS-TLIAP was invited to conduct a lecture session for the IDE5004 module on 20th April 2026.

His session on 'Choosing Sites for Infrastructure' equipped MSc IDE students with the analytical frameworks needed to apply data-driven logistics to high-stakes emergency response where the students engaged in a hands-on activity using anyLogistix, focusing on Green Field Analysis (GFA) in an infectious disease emergency, identifying the optimal "center of gravity" for new facilities—such as triage centers, vaccine distribution hubs, or cold-chain storage—is critical to minimizing lead times and maximizing life-saving reach.