{"id":38290,"date":"2026-06-17T09:56:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T09:56:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/?p=38290"},"modified":"2026-06-17T12:08:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T12:08:07","slug":"vut-public-lecture-inspires-future-researchers-through-global-supply-chain-insights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/st\/vut-public-lecture-inspires-future-researchers-through-global-supply-chain-insights\/","title":{"rendered":"VUT Public Lecture inspires future researchers through global supply chain insights"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Professor Joy Bhadury inspired students and academics at VUT with a public lecture on supply chains, geopolitics, research and global trade”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

17 June 2026 | Story by: Ntebogeleng Digasu<\/strong> | Picture:<\/strong> Keitumetse Mokgope<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Professor
Professor Joy Bhadury delivers a public lecture on the role of supply chains in shaping the global economy.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Supply chains are no longer simply about moving goods from one place to another. They influence global politics, determine food security and shape the future of economies worldwide. This was the central message delivered by Professor Joy Bhadury, PhD, Professor and Dean of the Bryan School of Business and Economics at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, United States of America, during a Public Lecture hosted by the Department of Management Sciences at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) on 10 June 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lecture attracted academics, researchers and students eager to explore the growing influence of supply chains on global economies, geopolitics and society. Drawing on international examples and contemporary developments, Professor Bhadury demonstrated how supply chains have become central to decision making in business, government and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the audience, he explained how international trade policies, particularly tariffs imposed on Chinese imports, have compelled manufacturers to redesign their supply chains. To remain competitive, many companies have shifted production and assembly operations to countries such as Vietnam, creating new economic opportunities while reshaping global trade patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSupply chains influence geopolitics,\u201d he emphasised, illustrating how trade decisions can affect relationships between nations and determine access to critical resources around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most thought-provoking aspects of the lecture focused on food security and human survival. Professor Bhadury explained that for much of human history, societies struggled to produce enough food to sustain growing populations. He highlighted the transformative role of the Haber-Bosch process, which enabled the large-scale production of nitrogen-based fertilisers and revolutionised agriculture globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further noted that modern fertiliser supply chains remain vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and disruptions in strategically important regions, demonstrating how developments in one part of the world can have significant consequences for food production and economic stability elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the technical aspects of supply chain management, Professor Bhadury challenged students and academics to view research as a powerful tool for addressing real-world challenges. He encouraged emerging researchers to pursue innovative solutions that can contribute to sustainable development, economic growth and societal progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lecture resonated strongly with attendees, particularly students who saw the relevance of supply chain management beyond traditional business functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Olebogeng Mashinini, a Management Sciences student at VUT, said the session inspired her to continue exploring opportunities within the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI really enjoyed the lecture, and it has motivated me to continue with supply chain studies in the future,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Lubabalo Mzizi, a first-year Human Resource Management student, described the presentation as insightful and informative, noting that it provided a broader understanding of the interconnected nature of global economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The audience was welcomed by Professor Chengedzai Mafini, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, who praised Professor Bhadury’s distinguished academic career and encouraged students and staff to engage with his expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProfessor Bhadury is very good with research and has lectured and supervised Master’s and PhD students. Please use him while he is here,\u201d said Professor Mafini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme was directed by Professor Donna Ncube, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, who welcomed guests and acknowledged the presence of Heads of Departments from Accountancy, Human Resource Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Marketing, Retail Business and Sport Management, as well as members of the Faculty Executive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Professor Christel Marais, Faculty Research Professor at VUT, who expressed appreciation to Professor Bhadury and all participants for contributing to a meaningful and enriching academic engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lecture served as a powerful reminder that supply chains extend far beyond the movement of goods. They shape economies, influence societies, affect global stability and create opportunities for research and innovation in an increasingly interconnected world. For many in attendance, the session provided not only valuable knowledge but also inspiration to pursue research that can make a meaningful impact on society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catch the full experience on Flickr <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Professor Joy Bhadury inspired students and academics at VUT with a public lecture on supply chains, geopolitics, research and global […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":38309,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news-vaal-university-of-technology"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t