The largest logistics event in the world for the first time in Wrocław, Poland – The CILT International Convention 2018

CILT members meet each year in one of the member countries at conventions to jointly make decisions that have a significant impact on shaping the future of the logistics and transport industry. This prestigious event attracts not only members of the CILT association, but also representatives of governments, professionals and scientists from the TFL industry from all continents.

The Convention is a cyclical event. Over the last years, the world's largest logistics event took place i.a. in Malta, Sri Lanka, Macau, Montreal, London and Dubai. This year, the CILT International Convention was held for the first time in Wrocław, Poland between June 3 and 6, 2018. The honorary patron of this event was Rafał Dutkiewicz, the President of the City of Wrocław.

The main themes of the CILT 2018 International Convention were issues related to the Linking Central and Eastern Europe to the world and the Electric car revolution and its impact on logistics.

During the four-day Convention, delegates had an opportunity to participate in a very interesting programme, which included speeches by guests from many countries, workshops and interactive sessions. The integral part of the Convention were Conferences: Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) and Young Professionals (YPs). The Convention was a chance to get involved in shaping the future of CILT and the TFL industry.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK), being an institution with international reputation and wide recognition in the TFL sector, has long sought a worthy partner to spread the mission of the Institute in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

In 2010, the International University of Logistics and Transport in Wroclaw, as the first European university obtained the CILT (UK) accreditation for Master's studies in logistics. In July 2011, the Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the IULT were officially admitted to the headquarters of CILT (UK) in Corby. The main topic of the talks during this visit was the opportunity to create the first in Poland certification body for logistics and specialists from the TFL industry. In May 2012, the CILT President (UK) Steve Agg and the CILT International President Stephen Rinsler visited the International University of Logistics and Transport in Wrocław to discuss in detail the terms of future cooperation.

On 5 October 2012, during the official inauguration of the academic year at the International University of Logistics and Transport in Wrocław, an agreement was signed on the creation of CILT (UK) in Poland by the President of CILT Steve Agg and the then Vice-Chancellor and the current Rector of the IULT Marcin Pawęska. Thus, the IULT joined the elite group of CILT members - as the only university in Poland - meeting the highest criteria related to obtaining the CILT accreditation.

CILT associates over thirty-three thousand members from more than 100 countries, mainly logistics and transport practitioners. The Institute was established in Great Britain, where Her Royal Highness princess Anna Mountbatten-Windsor is its Patron. For 20 years, the Institute has carried out 7,500 studies, research and reports for the needs of companies, government organizations and international corporations. CILT supports the logistic activities of international charities. For the needs of the Institute, there is a permanent board of directors, which associates 150 heads of logistics from the largest corporations. They set the directions of research and directions of logistics development for the next years. In addition, for many years the Institute has been conducting intensive activities in the sphere of logistic education, both for large corporations and for small and medium-sized enterprises

The IULT in Wrocław is the only university in Central and Eastern Europe that has been accredited by the British logistics institute for the field of Logistics - 1st degree Engineering and Bachelor studies in years 2012-2017 and Master studies in years 2012-2017. The university owes its success to its efforts to constantly increase the level of teaching, to extensive care in introducing practical elements in the teaching process, involvement of the academic staff in conducting interdisciplinary methods in teaching, development of the scientific infrastructure (the best, specialized logistic laboratories) and, most of all, permanent contacts with widely understood business environment, including cooperation with companies from the TFL industry.

In 2016, the CILT (UK) accreditation was extended for the Master's programme of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK), which appreciated the IULT in Wrocław, extending it until 2021. In 2017, the CILT (UK) accreditation was extended for undergraduate and engineering studies until 2022. The award is a confirmation of high standards of education and increase in the level of education at the university.