It is my great honor to welcome all of you to Islamabad, the beautiful capital of Pakistan, for the Sixth International Conference on Management Science and Engineering Management (ICMSEM 2012). I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Quaid-i-Azam University, our gracious host, and to the National Natural Science Foundation of China, for their generous support and shared vision in making this conference possible.

ICMSEM 2012 marks a special milestone in our continuing journey to bring together scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders from across the globe to address the critical challenges and innovations in Management Science and Engineering Management. This year, we received 220 submissions from 11 countries. After a thorough review process, 90 high-quality papers were selected for presentation and publication. These contributions span a wide range of topics, including supply chain systems, uncertainty theory, green operations, service management, enterprise planning, and data-driven decision support.

One of the unique strengths of this conference is not only the depth of the research presented, but also the vibrant interdisciplinary dialogue it fosters. Through our keynote lectures, thematic sessions, and roundtable discussions, we are creating opportunities for real, meaningful exchange. Let me take a moment to acknowledge the valuable contributions from our keynote speakers, including Prof. V. Cruz Machado, who offered insights on lean and green business models, Dr. Afsheen Fatima, who explored the behavioral dimensions of organizational performance, and Dr. Muhammad Hashim, who provided a large-scale case study on fuzzy planning in hydropower projects.

This year, we are proud to continue the tradition of the ISMSEM Advancement Prize for MSEM, which honors those researchers whose work bridges theory and practice, and contributes directly to solving complex real-world problems in engineering management. It is through such efforts that we advance not only our field, but also our impact on society.

But beyond the academic program, I want to emphasize another important aspect of this gathering—the spirit of friendship. The warm hospitality of our hosts here in Islamabad has created a relaxed, welcoming environment that encourages deeper conversations and stronger professional connections. Whether during the conference or on the post-conference cultural tours, I hope you will enjoy both the intellectual atmosphere and the beauty of Pakistan's landscape and heritage.

As we look around this room, we see participants from across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. It is a powerful reminder that our pursuit of knowledge transcends borders. This conference is not just a venue for presenting results; it is a space for building partnerships, for challenging ideas, and for inspiring the next generation of management science researchers.

Thank you once again for being here, for your contributions, and for your commitment to advancing our field. I wish you all a successful and enriching conference experience in Islamabad.

Prof. Dr. Dr. Jiuping Xu

General Chair

President of the International Society of Management Science and Engineering Management

Academician of International Academy for Systems and Cybernetic Sciences

Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry

November 12, 2012