Atlanta (June 3, 2009) - Georgia Tech's Executive Master's in International Logistics (EMIL) program completed its Asian residence in March. The two-week trip provided 32 corporate students with a unique look at how companies are reacting to difficult conditions and combating negative influences on supply chains.

Created in 1999, EMIL is an 18-month program delivered in an Executive format that teaches techniques for decreasing logistics costs and improving supply chain efficiency. The program's structure allows participants to remain on-the-job while they work toward a Master's of Science in International Logistics. The program intersperses distance learning methods among five global residences, each supplying an intense two weeks of classes and site tours.

The Asia residence is designed to expose executive students to the challenges and differences that exist in the region's infrastructure for logistics, distribution, and fulfillment. The residence benchmarks manufacturing, sourcing, distribution, tax, and investment strategies employed across numerous industries in China and throughout Asia. Participants network with and learn from industry experts, government officials, trade associations, professors, and EMIL's growing alumni base.

The program's two-week trip to Asia began in Seoul, marking the first time that South Korea has hosted an EMIL residence. Professor Linda Low, Senior Fellow of the Institute of Asian Studies, gave an economic overview that focused on Asia, China, and the Middle East. She also presented material on social, political, economical, demographic, and security issues in these regions. Additionally, Low compared and contrasted the national perspectives of India, Singapore, and other Asian nations against the trade blocs of Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. Lastly, she spoke on the impact of globalization on Asian and worldwide crises such as contagion and economic uncertainty.

While in Seoul, EMIL visited with Hanjin Shipping and CJ Global Logistics. Hanjin Shipping discussed infrastructure problems within Korea and other emerging markets throughout Asia. CJ Global Logistics discussed strategies to satisfy domestic demand and overcome barriers unfamiliar to the United States. In particular, the company highlighted customs issues that hinder the movement of goods, disadvantageous tariffs, and capacity constraints of air and water freight services. The EMIL class then toured the CJ GLS Logistics Center in Sin Duk Pyoung, South Korea.

Later in the residence, EMIL again blazed new ground by embarking on its first trip to Beijing, China. The participants learned about sourcing strategies in China from Raymond J. Chou, Managing Director of Home Depot's Asia Sourcing division. EMIL also met with Intel China and learned about the firm's migration of manufacturing to western China. Byron Ba, Greater China Logistics Manager for Intel and 2002 graduate of the EMIL program, led the discussion.

Additionally, the class experienced site visits and corporate discussions with SinoTrans Integrated Logistics. The dialogue focused on the logistics infrastructure in China, contract logistics-distribution, freight forwarding and customs clearance, and the impact of the economic recession on China. Afterward, the group adjourned for a site visit to John Deere during which the students learned about inbound logistics and protecting the "frozen zone" in Tianjin, China.

The recent Asian residence brought together two different EMIL classes for the first time in the program's existence. EMIL's Class of 2009 participated on the Asian tour in fulfillment of its fourth residence while the Class of 2010 completed its second residence. The decision to unite two classes at different stages in the program went off without a hitch, and the two groups forged new relationships and broadened both their EMIL experiences and professional networks. The Class of 2010 will depart for Europe next on June 14th, and the Class of 2009 completed its final residence in the United States in May, graduating from the EMIL program.