DQA Secretariat organizes DQA 2006 self assessment workshop

The workshop was attended by senior officials from several companies that have expressed interest in participating in the 2006 cycle of the award. The organisations represent various economic sectors in Dubai.

Dr. Lway Nackasha, Advisor Quality and Business Excellence at DED, said:

"Quality is a strategic objective for the DED. This objective is derived directly from the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The DQA Secretariat is focusing more on creating closer ties with the companies interested in applying for the award, through designing specific workshops, meetings and seminars in order to keep close touch with the applicants requirements and help them through their journey for excellence, not just through the application process."

Dr. Nackasha urged all attendees from current and previous applicants for the award to use the DQA criteria as a vehicle for introducing change, improvement activities and innovation in their own organisations, as well as applying for the Award.

He also stressed on the importance of 'The mindset for excellence' that needs to exist before embarking on such a journey.

The DQA workshop was conducted by both Dr Lway Nackasha in conjunction with Mr. Florent Meyer, Deputy General Manager of Dexia Sofaxis, winner of the European Award for Quality (EQA). Commenting on the RADAR mechanism used in the workshop, Mr. Meyer said: "RADAR stands for (Results, Approach, Deploy, Assess and Review); method of training that reveals the traps and the obstacles you may face in the journey towards quality and business excellence. The aim of the quality award is to leverage the performance of the company which proves that the journey itself is the prize," added Mr. Meyer.

Mr. Meyer also highlighted the importance of the DQA and its contribution to the development of organisations in Dubai: "The DQA can form an essential component of the economic development policies in Dubai not only by strengthening the company's performance, but also by elevating their standard to an international level. The DQA winners are bound to be on par with other internationally reputed quality award winners due to the seriousness of the assessment process and the criteria set for the participants which is one of the major strengths behind the success of this award," said Mr. Meyer.

The two-day workshop, which was held at Sheraton Creek, Dubai and the DED premises, was attended by representatives of companies that intend to apply for the 2006 cycle of the DQA and also some of the DQA assessors.

Participants at the workshop represented several sectors including manufacturing, construction, finance, trading, education and services such as food industry, hotels, car rentals and several other services.