IMMC-QEF Students Workshop
Learning and Practicing Mathematical Modeling by Using
IMMC Problems and Solutions(Both Greater China and International Round)
Date: 12 Oct 2019 Venue: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Dr. Yong-Hong KUO 郭永鴻博士
Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, The University of Hong Kong
https://www.imse.hku.hk/people/y-h-kuo
Email: yhkuo@hku.hk
Personal Website: https://sites.google.com/site/yonghongkuo/
Research Interests:
-
Optimization
-
System simulation
-
Healthcare management
-
Logistics and transportation planning
-
Data-intensive modeling and optimization techniques
On 12 Oct, Dr. Yong-Hong KUO from the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, the University of Hong Kong held a students workshop with the title "Learning and Practicing Mathematical Modeling by Using IMMC Problems and Solutions(Both Greater China and International Round)". The purpose of the workshop is to provide introduction of mathematical modeling and IMMC Contest such as past problems, judging criteria. The workshop took place in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
The workshop was divided into morning and afternoon sessions.
At the beginning, Dr. Kuo briefly illustrated the concept of mathematical modeling, such as the similarities and differences among physical entity model, visualized model and mathematical model. Then he introduced a mathematical method called "Linear Programming". Dr. Kuo firstly explained the idea by simple case with the aid of graphical method, and then proceeded to more complicated case with the assistance of Excel. Hands-on exercise was given to participants to reinforce their learning.
(Linear Programming is a part of Operation Research. It was developed in a study during World War II to find out the most efficient way for resources allocation. It is highly applicable and hence becomes an important branch of applied mathematics. )
In the afternoon session, Dr. Kuo used IMMC 2019 International Problem " What is the Earth’s carrying capacity for human life?" and IMMC 2018 Greater China Region (Winter session) Problem A "Resources Allocation for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations" as exercises to further experience the modeling. Participants worked in teams on the given questions and then present their ideas in front of the whole class. Dr Kuo was impressed by participants' work and he appreciated their enthusiastic trial of mathematical modeling.
Lastly, Dr. Kuo, as a member of judging panel, provided judging criteria information, his comments/observation of students performance and online resources for students to prepare for the contest.
Finally, we very much appreciate Dr. Kuo's time and students' participation. We hope that students could have a deepen understanding of mathematical modeling and IMMC Contest. We also thank the Department of Applied Mathematics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for their support and venue providing.