ONE DAY RETREAT FOR ALL FELLOWS, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND COORDINATORS OF THE INSTITUTE’S TRAINING CENTRES

The programme held on Friday, 29th September, 2006 commenced at 11.00am was organized for all Fellows, Council /Member and Coordinators of the Institute’s Training Centres to discuss issues that are fundamental to operations research problems and solutions as well as the responsibilities of the institute to the society.

The event witnessed paper presentations by the president of the institute, Prof. J. F. Akingbade, FIOR and the Registrar of the Institute, Lawal A. O. FIOR.

The President in this paper titled - .”Basic Facts about Operational Research”, dealt extensively on the problematic nature of OR definition, its general nature, origin and developments, science – basic of OR, the mathematical modelling and model solving on the one part.

The other part discussed the practical .Nature of OR, in which the process in Operations Research was likened to a vicious circle due to the fact that OR starts in reality and ends in, reality.

According to the paper, despite the uniqueness of OR in the design of a system simplification, that is model of which mathematical model is seen to be most effective and efficient due to specificity, preciseness and conciseness , yet OR is inundated with some practical limitations include:

• Objectives that can be done, and expected results are non – specific and imprecise.
• Information lapses, for example, about the future.
• Complexities, for example, in human factors and behaviours.
• The use of sophisticated mathematical modelling is not of widespread attraction.
• Most potential users of OR are mathematics averse, hence not attracted to using it.
• Non-availability of adequate infrastructure (database, computer, etc.)
• Lack of commitment, self - interest and in capabilities of those to implement Solutions.

The President identified tools for OR as: – Computer and information technology Statistics, Data base, Reports and Management Concepts and Principles. He further classified levels of OR model sophistication for practical purposes broadly into:

1. Rudimentary OR, which are mathematically non-sophisticated and with the following features:
   1. Basic Philosophy and approach
   2. Culture of OR
   3. Framework channel though (sketches, graphics, etc)
   4. Uses of standard models where applicable.
2. Sophisticated OR, that involves high – level mathematics. In conclusion, the President/Chairman of Council hinged the context of varying application of OR in, advanced society and developing countries in spite of the University Fits Concept and principles on – science, culture, technological capacity, infrastructure, and professional practice. These are high in advanced societies due to their economics and low in developing countries. Hence only rudimentary OR is of widespread use in developing countries.

The Registrar in his first paper, “Research in Operations Research”, identified three core issues as being fundamental to the OR problems and solutions. These are, Research, qualitative, techniques with, computer application, and decision making, of which according to him, research activities remain the bedrock of Operations research project. He emphasized further that research is a universal set with qualitative techniques an decision being its appendages.

The Registrar shed, light on the steps involved, in research, types of research, research design land who is a researcher/professional researcher. In conclusion, he opined that:

• Operations research is scientific inquiries that provide basis for efficient decision making in problem situation in any nature of operation.
• Research in Operations research entails all activities that make a complete research work.
• An Operations research specialist is more of a Professional researcher than any of other sort. This is because his responsibilities leaves on exemption in all the, stages involved in a scientific inquiry.

In the second paper titled “Practical/Professional Nature of Operations Research”, the Registrar discussed on profession/professionalism, professional development/specialization and Basic steps in Operational research projects.

While elucidating on profession, he identified the classic criteria normally used to define profession as: - Knowledge and skills, the concept of service and social interest, ethical norms, community sanction and enforcement, self–discipline and self–control . He, therefore, asserted that to attain true professionalism, there requires a clarified concept of ethics and norms that will be consistently observed in working for clients. Furthermore, he highlighted the following as the characteristics of professionalism–Technical competence, Client’s interest, impartiality and Objectivity, Confidentiality, Value for money, Ethics in marking land wider social concerns.

On professional development, specialization, the Registrar, Lawal A. O. mentioned that standards of professional service could be raised through assistance from professional associations in the areas of training courses for new practitioners, refresher training and workshops for experienced practitioners and conferences aimed at broad information on useful literature. Others include, obtaining information on what goes on in other professions, examining new trends in the profession and their implication for practitioners.

Ares of specialization in Operations research, according to the paper presenter are either theoreticians who work in the Academic/Industry or practitioners in the public service, doing research consulting or implementing models. However, he emphasized that professional may participate any of the following phases in Operations research: Modelling, Analysis and Implementation.

Besides, Lawal, A. O. identified the basic steps in Operational research projects as Definition of problem statement, Analysis of the system, Construction of Model, Model application, Implementation and Monitoring. In conclusion he stated that for practitioners to arrive at their solutions the following activities are involved:

1. Analysis of problems
2. Simplification of problems into components that can be solved
3. Use of computer modelling having identified which models and techniques are appropriates for different kinds of problems.