In order to develop a unique and internationally competitive educational program in Portugal, the program encompasses a distinctive set of themes: transportation systems, international context for transportation, and business models for the innovative procurement and operations of transportation infrastructure. These three themes build on strengths both at MIT and in Portugal, and create a unique context for our educational programs. A program such as this, with all of these themes, does not exist anywhere in the world, including MIT. The transportation systems theme is central to the concept. Program leaders consider transportation a complex socio-technical system, interconnected with other critical societal systems (e.g. energy, environment, economic development). Rather than the design of individual elements (such as highway infrastructure), the program focuses on system design at the network level. This theme also relates to the overall Engineering Systems focus of MPP, and it is expected that opportunities will arise for the exchange of content addressing systems-level issues created by the educational programs of all focus areas of the MIT Portugal Program. The international context theme reflects the importance of the global nature of the transportation enterprise and emphasizes, through case studies, the international issues that the transportation field faces. By teaching subjects in English along with research and education affiliations with MIT and other reputable institutions, the program supports its international goals. The business models theme, covering finance and contracts as well as legal and institutional issues, reflects Portugal's leadership position and ambitions in developing innovative concepts for the procurement and operation of transportation infrastructure in a variety of modes, including urban and intercity highway transportation, public transportation, airports, and high-speed rail. |
