DED conducts intensive quality training programme for DQA assessors

More than 60 senior and new assessors from all segments of the business sector in Dubai attended a series of four workshops, which were designed to update assessors on the revised assessment method for the Dubai Quality Award ahead of this year's awards. The training was conducted by Dr. Lway Nackasha, Adviser of Quality and Excellence at the DED; and Mr. Laurie Bradley, Director of TQMI, UK and a member of the training faculty for the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).

"Dubai Quality Award has come a long way since its launch and is now being recognized as a tool that companies can employ and utilize to enhance and upgrade their internal operational systems," said Dr. Nackasha.

"The DQA Assessors are the true heroes in Dubai's journey to accomplishing high quality standards. The training for assessors is an extremely important aspect of the award process as it ensures uniform standards of assessment and consistency of evaluation by various teams. The feedback from the assessors holds great value for companies, which use it as a starting point for identifying areas for improvement," he added.

Organized by the Department of Economic Development, the intensive course included detailed training on various aspects of the excellence model and its updated assessment method including the use of the RADAR methodology.

"The dedicated efforts of DQA assessors ensure that quality standards are carefully implemented by the companies applying for the Dubai Quality Award," noted Dr. Lway. "They regard this training as an added option for their personal development, in a true partnership with DQA Secretariat. The assessors are motivated to work together so as to ensure that each applicant is screened thoroughly to conform to the guidelines prescribed by DQA."

"Our focus this year has been on selecting high caliber candidates to serve as new assessors of the award. They include senior professionals who have significant experience in quality management, human resources and general management," said Dr. Nackasha.

"It is remarkable that the DQA incorporates criteria for excellence from around the world, thereby ensuring that it is on par with other international quality awards," said Mr. Bradley.

This year's training was developed after a thorough review of the previous years' sessions based on an extensive customer satisfaction survey involving assessors and applicant companies. Many new learning points have been incorporated into the programme.

The Dubai Quality Award is based on the Excellence Model of the European Foundation for Quality Management, which has been successfully applied in private and public sector organizations. The DQA is presented to enterprises in different sectors of the economy including manufacturing, services, tourism, construction, finance, professional, trade, health and education.