OR@Africa Day – Second edition: A first for Africa, a stronger impact : GERAD

OR@Africa at the centre of the academic community in Algeria

OR@Africa is proud to announce the second edition of OR@Africa Day, held on December 4, 2025, in Algeria. This edition marks an important and symbolic milestone, with the event being held in Africa for the first time, driven by the desire to strengthen its direct impact on the continent's academic and student communities.

This edition brought together members of the OR community from academia, business, and industry, promoting the sharing of scientific work, discussions on current issues, and the strengthening of collaborations.

During the event, several research projects were presented, covering a variety of topics and illustrating the impact of operational research on concrete issues. The presentations and discussions contributed to the scientific quality of this edition and helped consolidate a collective dynamic. OR@Africa Day is thus a continuation of the first edition organized at GERAD in Montreal, which marked the launch of this event and laid the foundations for a space for sustainable collaboration.

This edition benefited from the support of committed partners, notably GERAD and EROPT Inc. It was also marked by the contribution of ALGODECISION, which offered participants OR@Africa memoirs, a symbolic gesture intended to convey the spirit of the initiative and remind us that today's students are the actors who will bring OR@Africa to life tomorrow.

Première intervention de OR@Africa en Afrique — OR@Africa Day, 2e édition, Algérie

The success of this edition also relies on the involvement and hard work of the OR@Africa team, who actively participated in organizing and ensuring the smooth running of the event, notably Wissem Ahmed Zaid, Mohamed Faouzi Benammour, Imene Sellahi, Meissem Kadri, Bour Ghizlane, and Nadjemi Halima, under the supervision of professors Issmail El Hallaoui, Youssef Diouane, and Gerhard Wilhelm Weber.

Several faculty members, speakers, and experts in the field made their mark on this edition with the quality of their presentations and discussions. Students also played a central role, confirming their essential role in the future of operational research in Africa.

In conclusion, this second edition of OR@Africa Day confirms the scientific and institutional relevance of the OR@Africa initiative, while reinforcing its mission to structure, promote, and network the operational research community in Africa.

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the success of this second edition of OR@Africa Day.

Would you like to learn more about OR@Africa and its activities? Check out our publications and news on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oratafrica