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A New Optimization on Harmony Search Algorithm for Exam Timetabling System

Author

Listed:
  • Khaled Alomari

    (Department of Business Administration, Jadara University, Jordan)

  • Osama Almarashdi

    (#x2020;Department of Accounting, Jadara University, Jordan)

  • Ala Marashdh

    (Department of Business Administration, Jadara University, Jordan)

  • Belal Zaqaibeh

    (#x2021;Department of Software Engineering, Jadara University, Jordan)

Abstract

Preparing an optimal exam timetable in universities is challenging for head of departments, especially for colleges with multiple number of departments, courses, and students. Harmony search algorithm is used by many researchers to solve this problem but none of them could get an optimal solution. In this paper, a new algorithm which is called optimised harmony search algorithm with distributed selections is proposed by optimising the harmony search algorithm and the genetic algorithm. The new algorithm could satisfy hard, soft, and general constraints and generate an optimal exam timetable for a huge number of courses and students. The proposed algorithm is implemented and applied on Jadara University, the algorithm uses an upper triangular matrix to reduce relationships and memory usage, a three-dimensional matrix to ease the exams timetable management a deterministic number generators to eliminate timeslots conflicts, and backtracking algorithm to enhance the population selections. Lecturers and students’ feedback showed a good satisfaction as well the system results.

Suggested Citation

  • Khaled Alomari & Osama Almarashdi & Ala Marashdh & Belal Zaqaibeh, 2020. "A New Optimization on Harmony Search Algorithm for Exam Timetabling System," Journal of Information & Knowledge Management (JIKM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 19(01), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jikmxx:v:19:y:2020:i:01:n:s0219649220400092
    DOI: 10.1142/S0219649220400092
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sabar, Nasser R. & Ayob, Masri & Kendall, Graham & Qu, Rong, 2012. "A honey-bee mating optimization algorithm for educational timetabling problems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 216(3), pages 533-543.
    2. Mohammed Azmi Al-Betar & Ahamad Tajudin Khader & Mohammed A. Awadallah & Mahmmoud Hafsaldin Alawan & Belal Zaqaibeh, 2013. "Cellular Harmony Search for Optimization Problems," Journal of Applied Mathematics, Hindawi, vol. 2013, pages 1-20, October.
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