Organized by: Domingos M Cardoso*, Edite MGP Fernandes**, Gerhard-Wilhelm Weber***
* University of Aveiro, Portugal
** University of Minho, Portugal
*** Middle East Technical University, Turkey

Description:
Continuous Optimization belongs to the oldest disciplines within mathematics and, by that, in the history of science at all. For instance, the classical optimization problem of Heron of Alenxandria about the determination of a point C in a stright line such that the sum of its distance from two given points A and B on the same side of the streightline is minimum is known since the first century AC. In fact, many real world problems can be represented by Continuous Optimization models and the modern developed techniques and tools usually allow good approximate solutions for most of these problems. Nowadays the Continuous Optimization plays central role in a tremendous variety of application areas in the natural sciences, in the sectors of economy, finance, operational research and in the key technologies of modern Engineering. Furthermore, the solid theoretical foundations of Continuous Optimization as well as its refined methods have made it an important tool in the realms of discrete mathematics and applied probability. Nowadays, we cannot imagine Civil, Chemical or Computer Engineering, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace or Financial Engineering, Food Engineering, Material Sciences and the sectors of Sustainable Development, etc., without the results, algorithms and softwares provided by Continuous Optimization, together with the related domain of Optimal Control. To this service of Continuous Optimization, among its modern and vibrant areas we may emphasize: Linear and Nonlinear Optimization, Global and Nonsmooth Optimization, Convex and Conic Optimization, Stochastic Optimization, Portfolio Optimization and Risk Management, Structural Optimization, Semi-Infinite Optimization, Optimization in Statistics and Data Mining, Calculus of Variations and the Optimization of various kinds of Differential Equations. During all the centuries and, especially, in recent years, Continuous Optimization has been receiving a lot of stimuli from the applied sciences which it conveyed as research challenges to the other disciplines of mathematics, the theoretical ones included. Herewith, Continuous Optimization has proven to be a source of aid and enrichment and, eventually, a means for the improvement of living conditions on earth. In the millenium year of 2000, EURO Working Group on Continuous Optimization (EUROPT) was established (http://www.iam.metu.edu.tr/EUROPT/). From that time on it served in the European and international community of national OR societies and EURO working groups, by scientific advice, events of all formats and a spirit of encouragement. The scientific involvement of us from EUROPT into the EngOpt Conference Series and, in particular, EngOpt 2010 means a great honour for our group. We kindly invite our members and friends to take part in our Mini Symposium, and would be very glad if we could welcome conference participants from other backgrounds such as state-of-the-art engineering, for vivid conversation and, why not, the preparation of future collaborations.