Applying Metaheuristic Algorithm to the Admission Problem as a Combinatorial Optimisation Problem

Prominent among the factors militating against quality education is poor student intake standards. This in the long run has multiplier effect on the quality of a nation's human capital. The role of human capital in national transformation cannot be overemphasized. However, the process of developing human resource for socio-economic transformation, particularly in an optimal sense, means conscious and concerted efforts must be geared towards meritocracy. Secondary education is reputed for bridging the gap between primary education and tertiary education. It particularly provides the gateway for career development as subjects taken at the senior level are tailored towards future career choices. To ensure that resources invested in education are well utilized, students' admission process has to be streamlined to secure best candidates specifically in gifted schools where competition is high. This paper formulated a computational strategy to upgrade admission process by reducing cost and time associated with it. Using a Nigerian University Secondary School as case study, the researchers applied a Metaheuristics search algorithm to the admission problem of securing the best candidates from a pool of applicants. The results supported the claims that Metaheuristics algorithms are capable of optimizing an admission process in terms of cost and speed.