A delegation from the Institute of Information Technology (IIT), Jahangirnagar University (JU) successfully participated in the Second International Training Programme on “Smart Transportation” under the SOHO Erasmus+ Project, hosted by Université Lumière Lyon 2, France, from 15–19 June.
The Jahangirnagar University delegation comprises Prof. Dr. M. Shamim Kaiser, and Prof. Dr. Risala Tasin Khan attended the training program. The five-day international training programme brought together faculty members and researchers from partner institutions in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Europe with the objective of strengthening international collaboration, promoting knowledge exchange, and enhancing institutional capacity in smart and sustainable transportation for tourism.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Aicha Sekhari Seklouli, who introduced the objectives of the training and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in sustainable mobility research. Inès Flora Negrini Sandez provided participants with an overview of the programme schedule, logistics, and institutional support arrangements.
Throughout the week, participants attended a series of lectures, workshops, practical sessions, and interactive discussions delivered by distinguished academics and industry experts from Université Lumière Lyon 2.
Thanh-Ha Bargas conducted sessions on "Sustainable Public Transport for Tourism Destinations" and "Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) in Tourism: Strategy Frameworks," focusing on innovative mobility solutions that improve accessibility while reducing environmental impacts.
Sessions on "Environmental and Social Impacts of Sustainable Tourism Transportation" were jointly delivered by Aicha Sekhari Seklouli and Nizar Haous, emphasizing the integration of environmental sustainability and social responsibility into tourism transportation planning.
Further technical sessions were conducted by Yacine Ouzrout, who presented "Smart City Transportation Solutions for Tourism" and "Data Analytics for Sustainable Tourism Transportation." These sessions highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and data-driven decision-making in developing smart tourism ecosystems.
Prof. Aicha Sekhari Seklouli, together with industry experts, also led workshops on "Sustainable Tourism Destination Planning," where participants received practical training on evaluating carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, assessing transportation alternatives, and selecting environmentally responsible tourism options.
The training programme concluded with an educational field visit to Ville du Beaujolais, located near Lyon. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the local tourism authority and Sixte Denuelle, who shared the region's vision and best practices for sustainable tourism development. The visit provided valuable insights into the region's cultural heritage, community engagement, and sustainable transportation management strategies.
Throughout the programme, Inès Flora Negrini Sandez, Niloofar Fatemipanah, and Thaïs Chianca Machado provided outstanding logistical and organizational support, ensuring the successful implementation of both the academic and cultural components of the training.
The participation of the Jahangirnagar University delegation reflects the university's continued commitment to internationalization, academic excellence, sustainable innovation, and global research collaboration. The knowledge and experience gained through the programme will contribute to advancing research, education, and capacity building in smart transportation and sustainable tourism at Jahangirnagar University.
