The Analytic Hierarchy Process at Dar Al-Hekma, Saudi Arabia

I designed and implemented a multicriteria group decision-making model based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process to select the best candidates to send overseas for graduate studies, eventually becoming teachers at the newly created Dar Al-Hekma women’s college in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The paper highlights the model together with the challenges involved in making a scientific application of an OR method that proves to be robust in a highly political environment. Its application does not require from the user an understanding of the sophisticated albeit transparent theory that underlies the methodology. It is user friendly and involves simple constructions in conformity with what people actually do using logic and discussion to express their opinions in a collective effort to make a decision. Its outcome creates public trust in the management of the college.