Prof. Mbura Calls for Digital-Age Transformation in Operations Research as UDBS Shines at ORSEA

By Zamda George, CMU

The Dean of the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS), Prof. Omari Mbura, has emphasised the need to reposition operations research to meet the demands of the digital era, urging scholars and practitioners to harness data-driven insights for real-world problem-solving.

Speaking at the 17th Operations Research Society of Eastern Africa (ORSEA) Conference, held from 30th to 31st October 2025 at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Kampala, Prof. Mbura underscored that the future of decision-making in both public and private sectors depends on how well institutions integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital supply-chain systems into operational research practice.

“As operations research evolves in the digital age, our responsibility is to ensure its applications continue to serve real-world development challenges. At UDBS, we view operations research as a bridge between data, innovation, and sustainable decision-making”, said Prof. Mbura. 

The conference, themed “Operations Research for Sustainable Development Amidst Emerging Technologies,” was jointly organised by UDBS, MUBS, and the University of Nairobi (UoN). It brought together regional and international delegates from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Norway, and other partner institutions, reinforcing ORSEA’s reputation as a leading regional platform for advancing business analytics and applied research.

UDBS was represented by a distinguished delegation led by Prof. Omari Mbura, accompanied with other academics namely Prof. Ulingeta Mbamba, Prof. Dev Jani, Prof. Severine Kessy, Prof. Esther Ishengoma, Prof. John R. Philemon Mwakyusa, Prof. James Juma Masele, Dr. Theresia Dominic, Dr. Gerald Tinali, and Mr. Fintan Hamis, among others. 

Through panel sessions, research presentations, and exhibitions, UDBS scholars showcased innovative work in operational modeling, digital transformation, and sustainable business systems. Their participation reaffirmed UDBS’s status as a regional leader in business and analytical education, as well as a driving force behind the integration of science, technology, and management for economic transformation.

Building Capacity for Africa’s Knowledge Economy

Established in 2003, ORSEA is a collaborative initiative by UDBS, MUBS, and UoN, founded to promote excellence in operations research teaching, research, and practice. Over the years, it has expanded its reach through the ORSEA Journal, annual conferences, and postgraduate programmes at both master’s and Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research coordinated by UDBS.

This year’s deliberations focused on how operations research can guide sustainable production, digital business ecosystems, and climate-resilient management practices.

“Our graduates are trained not only to interpret numbers but to turn insights into impact. That balance between analytical depth, innovation, and real-world relevance is what sets UDBS apart”, Prof. Mbura noted.

As the conference concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in research and higher education. With UDBS at the forefront, the event highlighted a shared vision, to make operations research a central pillar in Africa’s transition toward a “knowledge-driven, innovation-based economy”.