The International Series of Conferences on the Practice and Theory of Automated Timetabling (PATAT) is held bi-annually as a forum for both researchers and practitioners of timetabling to exchange ideas.
Whether it is sporting events, educational institutions, transportation or employee management the construction of efficient timetables which provide the maximum in way of flexibility for all constituent parts is as important as it is challenging. An increasingly important aspect within organisations is an automated approach which maximises all aspects of resource usage. In doing so a number of quantitative and qualitative challenges must be dealt with from both a technical and practical perspective.
An important aim of the Conference is to align the needs of practitioners and the objectives of researchers. This is achieved through the presentation and application of leading edge research techniques. Practitioners and Researchers alike are encouraged to present their work and experiences with the overall goal of developing efficient and practical solutions. With this goal in mind, at Patat2010, researchers and practitioners will be brought together through a number of key presentations and workshops.
A dedicated conference stream will concentrate on the link between planning and management within the educational sector. A number of keynote talks will be delivered by leading practitioners from the University sector and those companies which provide automated timetable solutions.
A central theme of the Conference in Montreal in 2008 was the consideration of techniques submitted to the PATAT sponsored 2nd International Timetabling Competition. This year, researchers and practitioners are invited along to discuss the nurse rostering competition. A special workshop will be held discussing the background to the competition and finalists will discuss their submitted techniques.
Distinguished Plenary speakers will also present talks on the areas of Sports Timetabling and Transport Timetabling.
