DED trains over 200 cross-industry assessors for DQA and DHDA

The Business Excellence Department at the Department of Economic Development (DED) conducted a series of comprehensive training sessions for senior and new assessors of the Dubai Quality Award (DQA) and Dubai Human Development Award (DHDA) 2011 cycle.

The initiative 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.

The recent 14-day workshops were attended by more than 200 assessors representing different business sectors and nationalities from all over the UAE. The workshops, which aimed at enhancing the knowledge-base of DQA and DHDA assessors, included updates on the Dubai Quality Award and Dubai Human Development Award criteria, the implications of the EFQM Model, and assessment process ahead of the assessment schedule for this year's cycle of the award.

The training for the DQA was conducted by Mr Norman Hughes, Business Improvement Consultant from Footloose Enterprises Ltd in the UK and EFQM Certified Assessor and Trainer, who has been training the UK Quality Award Assessors for the past seven years. The training for the DHDA was conducted by Dr Alaa Garad, CEO of International Performance Excellence, who has also been a Senior Assessor/Jury Member of the DQA/DHDA and been training DHDA Assessors for the past couple years.

"Dubai has consistently focused on promoting quality and excellence to drive the productivity of the various business operations, including that of the government sector. DED's focus has been on retaining experienced assessors as well as attracting new people who hold senior positions and have significant experience in quality management, human resources and general management, both locals and expatriates," said Mr Mohammed Bushanain, Executive Director Corporate Quality and Management Excellence, DED.

"The assessors' valuable time and effort in reviewing and assessing the applications in a highly professional manner are appreciated by DED. Hence, the training for assessors is an extremely important aspect of the award process as it ensures uniform standard of assessment and consistency of evaluation, and the quality of the working methods of assessors within the teams will directly impact the assessment process," added Mr Bushanain.

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

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.

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.