The ICARE - International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education
invites you to participate in a videoconference training on
Linear Programming for Agribusiness Executives
conducted by
Rafael Bakhtavoryan, PhD
Dates
The 4-day training will take place on March 14-17, 2016
Venue
International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education (ICARE).
Address: 74 Teryan Street, 0009 Yerevan.
Time
18:30 - 20:45, Yerevan time (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 MABprogram 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 fill out the registration form (in English) available here: (the link is available in online versions of this announcement on ICARE Web and FB pages), or contact the coordinator for this training Lena Mamikonyan at lenamamikonyan@gmail.com. Registration deadline is March 11th, 19:00. Due to limited seating only shortlisted applicants will be notified for participation.
Contacts
If you have questions, please contact Lena Mamikonyan or call at 093 42-59-55.
Agenda
|
March 14 |
Time |
Topics |
|
|
18:30 - 19:30 |
Introduction to mathematical programming and linear programming |
|
|
19:30 - 19:45 |
Coffee break |
|
|
19:45 - 20:45 |
Assumptions of linear programming |
|
March 15 |
Time |
Topics |
|
|
18:30 - 19:30 |
Solving linear programing problems in Excel |
|
|
19:30 - 19:45 |
Coffee break |
|
|
19:45 - 20:45 |
Formulating an applied linear programming problem |
|
March 16 |
Time |
Topics |
|
|
18:30 - 19:30 |
Transportation model |
|
|
19:30 - 19:45 |
Coffee break |
|
|
19:45 - 20:45 |
Feed Mix model |
|
March 17 |
Time |
Topics |
|
|
18:30 - 19:30 |
Joint Products model |
|
|
19:30 - 19:45 |
Coffee break |
|
|
19:45 - 20:45 |
Assembly model |