MIT Leaders for Global Operations (LGO)

Delivering the selection committee’s decision, Dr. Ranganath Nuggehalli, the chair of the 2014 UPS George D. Smith Prize Committee, stated:

“The MIT LGO program epitomizes the spirit of the UPS George D. Smith Prize—a belief that to be true to the origins of our profession, the academic operations research programs must prepare students for its practice. A first of its kind, MIT LGO was created to bring renaissance in US manufacturing by developing analytically and technically sophisticated leaders to face the challenges of global competition. Since its inception, it has built an impressive track record. Starting with analytically oriented students, combining a core curriculum in operations research with courses and exercises in leadership, team work, and global collaboration, and capping with immersive hands on experience in solving real world problems, MIT LGO has innovated the way to preparing students for the practice of operation research.

“The LGO alumni network ensures that the education of its students continues beyond the graduation. The program has developed a generation of leaders who are adept in their craft, and are innovating their operations by making operations research a core competency of their organizations. The illustrious list of its alumni, their achievements, and the long list of organizations that continue to support the education of its students and vie for them are testament to the effectiveness of the program.

“By awarding the 2014 UPS George D. Smith Prize to the MIT LGO program, INFORMS salutes the outstanding contributions made by the MIT LGO program, and its graduates, to the practice of operations research.”