Limburg logistics innovation institute BISCI can continue
After eighteen months of preparation, the Brightlands Institute for Supply Chain Innovation (BISCI) in Venlo can continue with the implementation of logistics projects. With BISCI, the logistics region North Limburg has a knowledge center in which knowledge institutions, companies and government participate. By collaborating in BISCI, smart and sustainable supply chain innovations can be researched, developed and subsequently applied quickly. With the grant of 1.5 million euros by the province of Limburg for the period 2021 to 2024, the institute can continue to expand its existing project portfolio.
Maastricht University, Fontys Hogescholen, TNO and a few dozen (regional) companies now work together in BISCI. Research projects that have been explored and started in this collaboration can be further developed in the coming years. This concerns, for example, an integrated and sensor based stock management of medicines in hospitals, or the development of practical solutions to prevent or minimize food safety risks in fresh products in a complete supply chain.
Where possible, cross-fertilization with education is sought in the implementation of these projects. Today, more than 20 higher education students contribute to BISCI. In addition, a multidisciplinary team is involved in the knowledge center, with researchers in areas such as supply chain management, sustainability, food safety and data science.
"Kennis-As"
Bart Vos, scientific director of BISCI: “We are very pleased with the Kennis-As grant by the province of Limburg. Financially this means the basis for the further expansion of our activities, but above all it is an opportunity to contribute to the further strengthening of the logistics infrastructure in Limburg. ”
Joost van den Akker, Deputy for Economy, Education and Sport of the Province of Limburg: “Limburg must remain a leading logistics hotspot, at the forefront of sustainability, digitization and attractive for innovative and international logistics service providers. A high-quality scientific Brightlands institute is indispensable for talent development, knowledge and innovation on our corridors via road, water, rail, air and pipelines. ”
Thanks to the continuity it is now getting, BISCI is part of Kennis-As (knowledge axis) Limburg. Kennis-As Limburg contributes to the knowledge economy in Limburg through investments in education and research projects. In addition, it contributes to solutions for social challenges, such as the energy transition, also in the logistics top sector in Limburg.