One of the first commitments of the newly elected Board of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) is additional focus and investment into education and research to produce expanded benefits for its members and the wider air cargo community.
The new Education and Research Committee (ERC) will be responsible for directing the formulation, supervision, and provision of education programs that are targeted to industry management. It also expects to invite and sponsor the preparation of at least one major research paper each year by a selected academic that will address topics reflecting primary interests of the air cargo community.
Jim Edgar, Regional Marketing Director of Boeing Commercial Airplanes has been elected to chair the new committee with a goal to develop regional management as well as commission authoritative research and analysis on issues impacting the development of air cargo.
He stated: 'TIACA's prior Scholarship program successfully supported study of the air cargo industry and its supply chain through high-caliber students at universities all over the world and awarded nearly $150,000 to students in Europe, the Americas and Asia since 2002. These papers highlighted our industry's vital role in world trade to a community of future business people. Some of the awardees subsequently chose a career in the industry, while others joined the workplace with a clear understanding of the contributions of air logistics and the challenges we face including issues such as open skies, security and the environment.
'Now, seven years on, we feel the need to refocus this investment to directly help people and businesses already in the air cargo industry. With an energized and enthusiastic committee, we will immediately begin looking at new education solutions to benefit our members and emerging executive management around the world. In addition, we will continue to commission reports on major issues facing our industry and trade to better inform TIACA members and help them make the best decisions for their businesses, particularly during the current economic conditions.'
