A mathematical programming approach to applicant selection for a degree program based on gender, regional origin and socioeconomic criteria

DURAN, GUILLERMO ALFREDO; WOLF YADLIN, RODRIGO

INTERFACES

INFORMS

Año: 2011 vol. 41 p. 278 - 288

0092-2102

In 2007, the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Chile inaugurated aMaster?s degree in globalization management, in alliance with a major Chilean mining company.The new program is aimed at helping meet the challenges currently facing the country in thedevelopment of human and social capital through the training of young professionals. Thispaper describes the use of mathematical programming models in the program?s applicantselection procedure for the first three entering classes, subject to equity criteria on gender,regional origin and socioeconomic background. The models generated robust solutions in amatter of minutes, an achievement practically impossible with manual methods. The success ofthis application demonstrates how Mathematical Programming and Operations Research canmake a contribution to social policy, in this case by generating a list of candidates that best fitsthe admission profile of a university degree program incorporating equity considerations. Themathematical tool developed also added transparency to the selection process.