The University of Tampere, a key partner in the PRECIUS project, was represented by Aki Jääskeläinen, Matin Taheriruh, and Alireza Safarpour. Their role in the project was related to enhancing professional PSM education and promoting sustainability and innovations in supply chains. They contributed to the development of the project’s outcomes both in terms of teaching offering development and research.
A key result of PRECIUS project is a platform for PSM education through innovative training materials, case studies, and a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). The event began with an informal dinner on May 11, fostering collaboration among participants. Over the next three days, the agenda focused on finalizing the project’s outcomes. Brainstorming sessions enabled the consortium to refine deliverables, while reviews of recent actions ensured all objectives were achieved. A major milestone was the finalization and upload of training modules and the MOOC to an online platform, making these resources accessible to professionals and educators worldwide.
A key component of the event was the Learning, Training, and Teaching Activity, which included a session on “Green Levers – Sustainable Ways of Sourcing,” exploring practical approaches to sustainable procurement, a core focus of PRECIUS. Participants also tested learning materials, providing feedback to ensure their quality and relevance. Additionally, a Multiplier Event showcased the project’s outputs, including the MOOC and case studies, to a broader audience. The final day focused on reflecting on lessons learned, completing a white paper, and formally closing the project.
A highlight of the event was the engagement with three real-world case studies: “Pioneering, Social Housing,” “Ministry of Defence,” and “University of Twente, Renovation of Horst Building.” Participants were divided into working teams, each assigned a case study to analyze and address collaboratively. The process began with a mini-workshop led by Klaas Stek during the session “Addressing the Case Challenge I,” focusing on applying creativity to problem-solving. Teams worked in dedicated breakout rooms across three sessions to tackle their assigned challenges, collaborating to develop solutions. The event culminated in the “Purchasing Challenge – Presentation, Discussion, and Case Owners’ Evaluation,” where teams presented their analyses and solutions, followed by interviews with case owners to gain deeper insights and feedback.
The event effectively combined productive discussions, hands-on learning, and networking opportunities. Through PRECIUS, the consortium has created long-term open-access resources to advance PSM practices, empowering organizations to navigate complex supply chains sustainably.
For more details about the PRECIUS project, visit: https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/etm/precius/