Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences Graduation 2015: Ms Jean Howell (MTech Logistics)

Our very own Ms Jean Howell from the Logistics Department graduated with her masters degree (MTech Logistics) on 17 April 2015.

Ms Jean Howell on the furthest right

Q & A with  Ms Jean Howell:

What was the topic of your research?

“Key factors required by purchasing and supply departments
in the automotive manufacturing industry”.

Why did you decide on this topic inparticular?

I chose this topic as I was employed by Delta Motor
Corporation (General Motors SA) as a production buyer
for eight years in their Purchasing Department. I was
responsible for purchasing production requirements for
the motor vehicles. Due to my experience obtained in
the automotive manufacturing industry, I found that the
key factors required by world-class purchasing and supply
departments were not clearly defined or implemented
and this became of particular interest to me.

When did you start your post graduatestudies?

Although I did the majority of my research studies in 2014, I
commenced with some of the research in 2013.
How did you go about your research?
As the study mainly concentrated on the operational
aspects of firms in the automotive manufacturing industry,
questionnaires were sent to purchasing and supply
specialists of specifically identified firms.

What advice would you give students whowant to follow the masters path?

Choose a topic that is related to your job position/experience
if you are a part-time student as your working experience will
identify gaps on which your research can focus. The successful
completion of a masters requires discipline and dedication
but can be achieved if a student is committed to the study.
Excerpt from NMMU Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences Issue 1: Graduation 2015

Event 3: Tin Food Drive

The Logistics Society committee is holding a social responsibility drive to collect tinned food to be donated to a charitable organisation. As a member of the Logistics Society, please donate at least one tin of food at room 248 (2nd floor) or 128 (1st floor) 2nd Avenue Campus. It can be any kind of food. This drive will last for just another 5 days including today and thus ends at the end of the working week on Friday, 28 May 2015.

Event 2: The Operation of Proper Supply Chain Coordination

Miss Chetha Doolabh at the start of her presentation

Thank you very much to Ms. Chetha Doolabh, Supply Chain Coordinator from Lumotech for taking time out of her very busy work schedule yesterday (Wednesday 20 May 2015). Her presentation on the subject of her job and the operations of proper supply chain coordination was very informative and relevant to the logistics, purchasing and warehousing. It provided a good practical perspective to the theory studied in university. 

Logistics Society website (blog) introductory post

Welcome to the official blog of the NMMU Logistics Society! This blog will be maintained by the Media Portfolio and will update on at least a weekly basis. A monthly poll will also be operated. Information sponsored by this blog is most relevant to NMMU Second Avenue logistics/ purchasing/ warehousing students and lecturers at this higher education institution. The following topic-related information that will be shared includes:

• Society updates (news, events, drives, messages)
• News from the department
• Supply chain management industry news
• Department member biographies (Logistics and others)
• Bursaries and job opportunities
• NMMU Second Avenue Campus news
• Motivational and encouraging posts

You are encouraged to be a member of the society and follow the media as it will enrich your academic journey (and you can put the membership on your CV). It also helps the Logistics Society to gain as many members as possible in terms of funding and reputation.
Follow the rest of the Logistics Society mediums: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep in mind that these sites, like this blog and the media portfolio have just been created, so they are still in development and have yet to be populated.

Please send any Logistics Society related questions, pictures (as a member you count for this. Students will be featured in the media occasionally) and other related content to media.logistics@gmail.com