DED Welcomes More Emiratis On Board As Assessors For DQA And DHDA 2012 Cycle

The Business Excellence Department at the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai hosted a series of training sessions for senior and new assessors of the Dubai Quality Award (DQA) and Dubai Human Development Award (DHDA) 2012 cycle to enhance their knowledge-base and update them on the standards and processes in the new cycle.

A major focus of the training programme was on selecting, training and developing more Emarati and bilingual assessors, in addition to other nationalities. All applicant organisations were also encouraged to send their representatives to the programme as it would help them in their own assessment and the turnout was over 10 per cent higher than the target.

The training programme is part of DED’s efforts to establish the concept of quality and excellence as a catalyst for stronger business growth and further consolidate Dubai’s status as a preferred destination for foreign investment. Participants in the programme were briefed on the DQA and DHDA criteria, the implications of the latest EFQM 2013 Model, and the assessment process.

“We are delighted to welcome more Emarati and bilingual assessors to our team as it will ensure wider representation in the Dubai Quality Award and the Dubai Human Development Award. Extending the award as well as their criteria and related processes across all sectors and professionals is critical to achieving excellence across all levels in Dubai,” said Mr Mohammed Bushanain, Executive Director Corporate Quality and Management Excellence, DED.

The training sessions were led by Norman Hughes, Business Improvement Consultant at Footloose Enterprises Ltd in the (UK) and EFQM Certified Assessor and Trainer; Indu Singhal, Managing Director of EBM International and Senior DHDA & DQA Assessor; Dr Alaa Garad, CEO of International Performance Excellence and Senior Assessor/Jury Member of the DQA/DHDA.

Emirati and bilingual co-trainers including Malakeh El Haj from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai and Eisa Salim Al Qaydi from English Center for Management studies and Consultancy were also present at the sessions to assist the trainers.

“A key consideration for Dubai is to promote and sustain quality and excellence as a strategic advantage of doing business in Dubai. Uniforms standards and scientific methodologies in evaluating quality and excellence are hence critical and the assessor training programmes help sharing of knowledge and best practices,” added Bushanain.

The DQA is the single most valuable framework for companies to implement a quality strategy to improve their effectiveness by involving all employees to meet objectives and achieve customer satisfaction at optimal costs.

Since its launch in 1994, the DQA has enjoyed the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who has been instrumental in driving the quality movement across the private and public sectors in the emirate.

The Dubai Quality Award winners are honoured in three categories - the Gold Category, the Dubai Quality Award, and the Dubai Quality Appreciation Programme (DQAP). The awards will be distributed in key sectors – manufacturing, finance, professional, tourism, services, trade, construction, higher education, and healthcare.

The Dubai Human Development Award recognises the long-term commitment of the private sector to the development of UAE nationals. It offers them the chance to develop and build career paths. DHDA is given in three categories – The Gold Category, the Dubai Human Development Award, and the Dubai Human Development Appreciation Programme (DHDAP). The award covers economic sectors - trade, manufacturing, construction, professional, services, tourism, higher education, financial services and government.

For further information on applying as assessors, please contact the Business Excellence Department via email: bec@dubaided.gov.ae.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Dec 25, 2012

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