An information visibility-based university timetabling for efficient use of learning spaces (IVUT)

Abstract

Academic institutions have limited resources that need judicious management. Building university timetables is a complex process that considers a big number of resources. Sometimes, allocating events takes place without seeing the full picture of the available resources. This leads to inefficiencies in utilization, especially with the absence of reevaluation techniques for timetables. Spaces could be underutilized or over-utilized but kept obscure due to lack of timely information. Providing updated information about spaces occupancy and utilization is important to construct resilient and adaptive timetables. Information visibility triggers re-scheduling and reallocation decisions. This paper introduces a new approach to construct resilient university timetables using genetic algorithms and data capturing technologies. The contributed approach adds a new dimension to solving the NP-hard timetabling and space allocation problems. It enables handling dynamic attendance patterns. By conducting periodical timetable assessments, appropriate spaces can be reallocated to suit the number of attendees in each event. This helps avoiding chaotic consequences resulting from space over-occupation as well as preventing the inability to use a space under the impression that is fully utilized. The developed solution relies on the use of RFID technology to enable information visibility. A case study was conducted at the Faculty of Commerce, Alexandria University, and the results are presented. Compared to current practices, the new concept proves to be an effective tool for managing timetables and resources in universities.