TAMIU’s Dr. Covarrubias Shares Research on Smart Borders at ABS Annual Conference
Dr. Daniel Covarrubias, director of Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Texas Center for Border and Economic Development (TCBEED), presented at the Association of Borderlands Studies (ABS) 2023 Annual Conference held in Tempe, AZ recently.
This year's conference theme, "Cultural Heritage and Borders: A Dialogue Across Space and Time," united a diverse range of over 150 scholars and practitioners in 50 panels from April 12 - 16. Dr. Covarrubias is the ABS's executive secretary and treasurer.
At the Conference, Covarrubias presented an insightful paper titled "Smart Borders: The Key to More Resilient International Trade and Cross-Border Transportation" during a panel focused on Border Economics and Transportation. Jorge Ibarra Salazar from the Tecnológico de Monterrey moderated the discussion, Alejandro Brugués from El Colegio de la Frontera Norte was the discussant, and Jesús Cañas of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas a co-panelist, and all led a dynamic border economics and transportation discussion.
Covarrubias' paper explored the complexities of global transportation and trade expansion, acknowledging its significant benefits to the world economy while addressing the challenges it has created, such as security concerns and delays at border crossings.
He maintains that Smart Border initiatives, which employ technology and data to streamline the movement of goods and people across borders while maintaining security, can effectively tackle these issues, and establish a more resilient international trade and transportation system. His paper examined Smart Borders, highlighted their advantages and obstacles, and offered case studies of successful Smart Border initiatives as potential models for the future.
He advocates for the need for additional investments in research and development to enhance the capabilities of Smart Border technologies to ensure the interoperability of different systems and technologies utilized by numerous countries. Moreover, he emphasizes addressing privacy and data protection concerns, implementing rigorous privacy policies, and strong data protection measures.
Covarrubias introduced Logistechs as a vital element of Smart Borders that can improve the logistics, supply chain, and transportation sectors. He argued that by concentrating on developing and implementing Logistechs, countries could forge a more efficient and secure international trade and transportation system benefiting all involved parties.
TAMIU's Texas Center is actively contributing to developing efficient cross-border trade and transportation solutions, and has established a Logistechs Living Lab. This Living Lab aims to implement exponential technologies to improve efficiency and competitiveness in cross-border trade and transportation.
It offers a practical platform for research, collaboration, and innovation, enabling scholars and industry professionals to work together to address challenges and seize opportunities in cross-border trade and supply chains.
Covarrubias has been a member of the ABS since 2013. His research on cross-border regions has been presented and published in international journals, the Journal of Borderlands Studies among them, and at numerous international symposiums.
Next year's ABS Annual Conference will take place in San Antonio, TX. For more on the Conference and the Association, go to https://absborderlands.org/meetings/abs-annual-conference/
Visit the Texas Center at texascenter.tamiu.edu, email Dr. Covarrubias at dcova@tamiu.edu , call 956.326.2520, or visit offices located in Anthony J. and Georgia A. Pellegrino Hall, room 216.
TAMIU information is also online at tamiu.edu as well as the University’s social channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Dr. Daniel Covarrubias presented his research,"Smart Borders: The Key to More Resilient International Trade and Cross-Border Transportation"
