Advancing Operations Research as a Key Driver of Intelligent Decision-Making and Resilient Operations in Taiwan

Yu-Chung Tsao, Dean of the School of Management at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), has recently been elected the 12th President of the Operations Research Society of Taiwan (ORSTW), officially assuming leadership of the Society’s future development. Dean Tsao noted that amid today’s highly uncertain global economic and industrial environment, the scientific decision-making approaches represented by Operations Research are becoming a critical capability for strengthening Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness, public governance, operational resilience, and sustainable transformation.

“Operations Research is not merely an academic methodology; it is a capability for making scientific and rational decisions in a complex world,” Dean Tsao emphasized. Looking ahead, ORSTW will focus on three core pillars—intelligent decision-making, resilient operations, and sustainable transformation—with the aspiration of becoming a decision-oriented think tank supporting Taiwan’s industrial upgrading and social development. This appointment not only highlights Dean Tsao’s strong academic foundation and outstanding leadership in operations research and management science, but also brings further academic distinction to Taiwan Tech.

For many years, ORSTW has been dedicated to advancing the development of Operations Research (OR) in academic research, talent cultivation, and practical applications. Its research domains span key decision-making areas such as smart manufacturing, supply chain management, transportation systems, energy systems, financial engineering, and public policy. Dean Tsao pointed out that with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, ongoing supply chain restructuring, energy transitions, and rising risks from extreme climate events, decision problems today extend beyond efficiency alone and must simultaneously account for resilience and sustainability—precisely the areas where operations research can create the greatest value.

Dean Tsao has long been engaged in research on operations research, decision analysis, and system optimization, while actively promoting industry–academia collaboration and mentoring generations of outstanding students. His election as President reflects the academic community’s strong trust and high expectations for his professional contributions and commitment to service. Under his leadership, the Society will advance three major directions. First, it will strengthen the application of operations research in national-level and senior industry decision-making, fostering a decision culture grounded in data, models, and systems analysis. Second, it will position the Society as a vital platform connecting academia, industry, and public policy, supporting governments and enterprises in enhancing operational resilience and decision quality. Third, it will continue to cultivate young scholars and decision-science talent, while deepening ties with international operations research societies to elevate Taiwan’s visibility and influence within the global academic community.

Figure 1. Dean Yu-Chung Tsao delivering a speech	Figure 2. Ballot counting at the OperationsResearch Society election

The Society further stated that under the leadership of the new President, it will continue to expand collaboration with government agencies, enterprises, and international organizations, enabling operations research to generate deeper and more sustained social impact in Taiwan. Moving forward, Dean Tsao will lead ORSTW in promoting academic exchange, strengthening international connections, and advancing practical applications in industry and public policy—injecting new momentum into the development of management science and intelligent decision-making in Taiwan. The faculty and students of the SOM at Taiwan Tech extend their heartfelt congratulations and look forward to the innovations and breakthroughs to come during his term.
 

Figure 3. Dean Yu-Chung Tsao’s acceptance speech upon election