A New Integer Model for Selecting Students at Higher Education Institutions: Preparatory Classes of Engineers as Case Study

Abstract

This study addresses the challenge of selecting outstanding students at higher education institutions under multiple constraints. We propose a novel integer programming solution to manage this process, formulating it as a constrained assignment problem with a maximization objective function. This function prioritizes the fair selection of students while respecting criteria such as academic qualifications, required skills, and student preferences. The goal is to develop a decision support system that efficiently selects qualified students at higher education institutions within a reasonable time. The model was tested using real data from Moroccan preparatory classes, achieving important assignment rates across all student categories. Results demonstrate significance in execution time, fulfillment of student choices, and prioritization of outstanding students. This approach offers a flexible, efficient solution for managing academic merit-based selections, optimizing resource utilization, and enhancing fairness in the selection process.