Urban Planning & Developing Authority in Qatar signs Memorandum of Understanding with e-TQM College

The Urban Planning and Developing Authority in Qatar (UPDA) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with e-TQM College - the first online educational institution of its kind in the region specialising in total quality management and institutional excellence - to benefit from the college's considerable experience and resources.

"The Authority aims to formulate an integrated plan for different departments of the Qatari government by partnering with relevant institutions and associations specialising in total quality management and institutional excellence. This will help facilitate greater potential, free up more resources that will improve the developing missions of government departments, and lead to increased growth" said H.E Engineer Ali Al Abdulla, Director-General of UPDA. "At the top of the list of institutions that can help us achieve this goal is e-TQM College in Dubai which embodies the spirit of the Middle East Association of Total Quality. The College is supported directly and sponsored by pioneer in excellence, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai."

Commenting on the signing of the MOU, Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Vice President of e-TQM College praised the efforts of UPDA in Qatar, and its eagerness to implement the highest standards of total quality as it aims to accomplish promising achievements in the fields of excellence and quality. "The agreement shows the efforts of UPDA to spread out the culture of total quality and institutional excellence in all government departments in Qatar. As the college is specialised in offering online educational services in the field of total quality management throughout the entire Arab World and Middle East region, we will strive to support and improve the skills of the individuals working in the departments of UPDA. This can be achieved through effective virtual learning environment and academic scheme based on the latest approaches of potential skills development for both individuals and institutions."

According to the agreement, the College will offer specialised training services to improve the skills of the staff working in the different institutions of UPDA in the field of total quality and institutional excellence. Also, the College will provide consultancy services to assist the authority in setting up a quality control system. In addition, e-TQM College will provide UPDA with development programs in total quality and institutional excellence in any new academic or professional fields in order for the Authority to maintain a high standard. In the areas of Study and Research, e-TQM College will allow for the creation of academic chairs in its specialised academic curriculums in total quality. The agreement will enable UPDA to access the "e-TQM Publishing House" which publishes a number of publications in the field of total quality in both English and Arabic.

UPDA in Qatar is also discussing with e-TQM College the possibility of establishing an excellence centre for quality control looking after the public sector in general, and focusing on urban planning and development. The center is to set and execute an integrated strategy that contributes expanding the culture of total quality and institutional excellence throughout all governmental departments in Qatar. The center will make use of the cumulative academic and training experience of the college, as well as experience the application of the high standards of total quality and institutional excellence.