The ICARE - International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education
invites you to participate in a videoconference training on
Operations Management Using Solver
conducted by
Rafael Bakhtavoryan, PhD
Dates
The 2-day training will take place on May 26th and 29th.
Venue
International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education (ICARE).
Address: 74 Teryan Street, 0009 Yerevan.
Time
May 26th: 10:00 – 12:15
May 29th: 18:30 - 20:45, (this includes a coffee break). For details, see the agenda below.
Working language
The working language will be Armenian but the PowerPoint slides will be in English.
Level
Intermediate. Participants are not expected to be intimately familiar with linear programing; however, it is recommended that they have a basic background in mathematical programming and Microsoft Excel.
Training participation fee
The training is free of charge. While similar hands-on trainings are quite expensive, ICARE fully covers the associated expenses for the participants, thus staying true to its charitable, social, scientific, and educational commitments.
Training description
Linear programming is an important tool for formulating mathematical models and developing solution methods for real-life optimal decision problems. In this hands-on training, the participants will familiarize themselves with different linear programming models used to obtain the best decisions (according to a well-defined objective) in allocating scarce resources such as capital, materials, equipment, manpower, energy, etc. among competing activities that produce goods and services. Rather than developing a specific solution method for each optimization problem, we will build abstractions of these problems in the form of mathematical models and study a general method to solve these models.
Target audience
The purpose of this training is to teach participants the fundamentals of linear programming focusing on the application of this technique to solve actual problems in the competitive business environment. The course is designed to equip participants with practical skills to assist them in making educated economic decisions in a business context and is intended for business executives, business consultants, business analysts, economists, policy makers, senior level students, and other interested parties that do linear programming in any type of production or service industry (agribusiness, banking, consulting, food industry, production, wholesaling/retailing, tourism etc.).
Expected outcomes
After completing this training, participants will be able to:
- Formulate linear programming problems.
· Solve linear programming problems using Solver (an add-in in Excel).
· Interpret the results from the solution of different types of linear programming problems.
· Make recommendations to business managers to facilitate their decision making process.
Presentation methods
A combination of PowerPoint presentations and in-class computer exercises will be used (the participants must bring their own notebooks to every session). The participants will be provided with training material ahead of time. A dynamic discussion and exchange of ideas through interactive class participation will be strongly encouraged.
Trainer
Dr. Bakhtavoryan received his Ph.D. in Applied Economics from Texas A&M University. Currently, he works as an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University-Commerce, United States. Also, he teaches graduate courses, such as Statistics, Econometrics, Managerial Economics, and Agribusiness Analysis and Forecasting, in the Master of Agribusiness (MAB) program at the Armenian National Agrarian University. His research interests lie in the areas of consumer demand analysis, applied econometrics, and forecasting. He has extensive experience in conducting trainings in Armenia (at Baker Tilly Armenia, ICARE, and German Agency for International Cooperation).
Registration procedure and deadline
If interested, please register for the training by filling out the registration form (in English) - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjDhezxIfSkWJDjT9Ng2srFiqa09kTziYG8yUgbPQukpdvjQ/viewform.
Registration deadline is May 24th, 19:00. Due to limited seating, only shortlisted applicants will be notified for participation.
Contacts
If you have questions, please contact the training coordinator, Lena Mamikonyan, at lenamamikonyan@gmail.com, or call at 093 42-59-55.
Agenda
|
May 26th |
|
|
Time |
Topics |
|
10:00 – 11:00 |
Introduction to mathematical programming and linear programming. Assumptions of linear programming. Solving linear programing problems in Excel |
|
11:00 – 11:15 |
Coffee break |
|
11:15 - 12:15 |
Formulating an applied linear programming problem. |
|
|
|
|
May 29th |
|
|
Time |
Topics |
|
18:30 - 19:30 |
Transportation model and feed mix model |
|
19:30 - 19:45 |
Coffee break |
|
19:45 - 20:45 |
Joint products model and assembly model |