A delegation from American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) successfully participated in an international training program on “Smart Transportation” under the SOHO Erasmus+ Project, hosted by IUT Lumière Lyon 2, University Lyon 2, France, from 15–19 June 2026. The AIUB SOHO team was led by Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro Vice Chancellor, AIUB, and comprised Prof. Dr. Md. Saniat Rahman Zishan, Director, Faculty of Engineering; Dr. Chowdhury Akram Hossain, Head, Department of Computer Engineering; and Mr. Abir Ahmed, Special Assistant, Faculty of Engineering.

The five-day training program brought together participants from partner institutions in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Vietnam, with the objective of enhancing international collaboration and capacity building in sustainable and smart tourism. The program commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Aicha Sekhari Seklouli, Local Project Coordinator at University Lyon 2, who introduced the training team and provided an overview of the week-long activities. Ms. Inès Flora Negrini Sandez, International Project Manager of University Lyon 2, briefed the participants regarding the logistics and support arrangements for the training period.

Throughout the week, participants attended a series of lectures, workshops, and interactive discussions conducted by distinguished academicians and experts from University Lyon 2. Dr. Thanh-Ha Bargas delivered sessions on “Sustainable Public Transport for Tourism Destinations” and “Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) in Tourism – Strategy Frameworks,” followed by a practical workshop on problem-solving and case study writing. Sessions on “Environmental and Social Impacts of Sustainable Tourism Transportation” were jointly conducted by Prof. Aicha Sekhari Seklouli and Dr. Nizar Haous, emphasizing the social and environmental dimensions of sustainable mobility. Subsequently, Prof. Yacine Ouzrout delivered sessions on “Smart City Transportation Solutions for Tourism” and “Data Analytics for Sustainable Tourism Transportation,” highlighting the role of digital technologies and data-driven approaches in the development of smart tourism ecosystems.

On the fourth day, Prof. Aicha Sekhari Seklouli, together with experts from the industry, conducted sessions on “Sustainable Tourism Destination Planning.” The participants received hands-on training on evaluating carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and selecting responsible and environmentally sustainable tourism options. During the second half of the day, a guided river cruise through the historic city of Lyon was arranged, providing participants with firsthand experience of how tourism development and sustainable mobility have been integrated into the city's heritage and urban planning.

In the evening, the host institution arranged an official networking dinner at the renowned Brasserie l’Est, one of Lyon’s iconic restaurants symbolizing the city's historic railway heritage. The dinner brought together participants and organizers from different countries in a cordial atmosphere, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening professional ties among the partner institutions involved in the SOHO Erasmus+ Project.

The training concluded with an educational visit to Ville du Beaujolais, located approximately two hours from Lyon. The participants were warmly welcomed by the local tourism authority and the honorable Mayor, Mr. Sixte Denuelle, who shared the region’s vision for sustainable tourism development. The visit provided valuable insights into the community’s history, cultural heritage, and sustainable transportation management practices.

Throughout the entire training period, Ms. Inès Flora Negrini Sandez, Ms. Niloofar Fatemipanah and Ms. Thaïs Chianca Machado, provided exceptional logistical and organizational support, ensuring the smooth execution of all academic and cultural activities. Their continuous assistance and hospitality significantly contributed to the success of the program and the enriching experience of all participants.

The successful participation of the AIUB delegation in this Erasmus+ initiative reflects the university’s commitment to internationalization, academic excellence, and the advancement of sustainable and smart tourism education. The knowledge and experiences gained through the training are expected to contribute significantly to future curriculum development, research collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives, further strengthening AIUB’s global engagement and academic partnerships.