Modified simulated annealing for university teacher course assignment considering socio-cultural constraints

This paper aims to address the complex challenge of course assignment for faculty members within a Saudi university, taking into account the socio-cultural constraints imposed by gender-based segregation between students and faculty. To tackle this challenge, a combinatorial optimization model is proposed, which includes a binary representation of the problem, constraints reflecting gender segregation, and an objective function designed to maximize faculty satisfaction. The model employs a Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm, supplemented with two neighborhood search heuristics (H1 and H2), to explore diverse combinations. Additionally, a greedy randomized adaptive search procedure Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure (GRASP) algorithm is implemented for comparative analysis, utilizing heuristic 1 for local search. Through the application of simulated annealing alongside both heuristics (SA_H1_H2), the optimal solution is achieved, resulting in a notable equilibrium of courses among faculty members. Objective 1 demonstrates the standardized deviation in workload distribution among faculty members, yielding a deviation value of 0.08. This study contributes to the field by proposing a novel approach to course assignment that explicitly addresses the gender-based segregation prevalent in Saudi universities. By integrating socio-cultural constraints into the optimization model and employing advanced algorithms, the study offers a pioneering solution to a previously unexplored problem domain.