The Industrial and Management Systems Engineering (IMSE) focuses on the engineering and management of production and service systems, whic include discrete manufacturing, process industry, banking and investment, and the public sector. Industrial engineers design, operate, and manage these systems for the purpose of improving efficieny, quality, productivity, and safety at minimum cost, while protecting people, property, and the environment.

Due to their unique educational background, which consists of both engineering and management sciences, industrial engineers have the capability to make significant contributions to different organizations by performing a wide range of activities and tasks. IMSE is considered as the most people-oriented discipline among various engineering disciplines. One of the key activities of the industrial engineering profession is to improve productivity, which may be defined as "maximizing the output with minimum input or resources". This requires finding the optimum 'mix' of limited resources, such as capital, material, equipment, labor, and other inputs, to maximize the output, to minimize the costs, or to optimize other organizational objectives. With strong background in operational analysis, Industrial engineers have the ability to manage complex projects and systems.

The IMSE program at Kuwait University focuses on such areas as quality engineering and management, economical engineering decision support system, productivity and supply chain management, and ergonomics and safety. Various compulsory and elective courses are offered in the department to give a strong background to the IMSE students and to prepare them for their career.