Dubai, 21 May 2013: The Business Excellence Department at the Department of Economic Development (DED) recently hosted a seminar to create awareness among Emiratis working in the public and private sector on bringing about an excellence transformation in their organisations using the 2013 EFQM Model.
The seminar was also part of encouraging more UAE nationals to join as assessors in the Dubai Quality Award (DQA) programme and explaining to them the eligibility criteria and processes involved in an assessor's role. Nearly 50 representatives from the government and private sector attended the seminar.
Ali Ibrahim, Deputy Director General for Planning and Development Affairs in DED, welcomed the participants and said: "As a roadmap for excellence and sustainable progress for organisations and people, the Dubai Quality Award calls for greater participation of UAE nationals in every stage. Emiratis joining as assessors in the Dubai Quality Award also stand to benefit in terms of learning and career development as well as sharing best practices in diverse sectors and services."
Ibrahim added: "Recently we have brought Islamic economy also under DQA in view of the importance of this sector to Dubai's growth vision and reputation as a robust environment for conventional as well as innovative business activities."
Emiratis who were Senior Assessors in the earlier cycles of DQA shared their positive experiences with the participants at the seminar. The speakers highlighted how the 2013 EFQM Model assists in evaluating the strengths and competitiveness of an organisation and how an assessor can influence positive change within his/her organisation.
"Businesses and organisations worldwide adopt the EFQM Model as an overarching framework for achieving comprehensive growth and sustainable excellence. Dubai's drive for competitiveness will gain substantially from Emiratis across all service channels committing to such globally accepted practices," remarked Malakeh El Haj, trainer and Senior DQA Assessor.
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 Dubai Quality Gold Award, the Dubai Quality Award, and the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award (DQAA). The awards will be distributed in key sectors - manufacturing, finance, professional, tourism, services, trade, construction, higher education and healthcare.
Applications will be evaluated by the assessors, who will conduct site visits and prepare detailed assessment and feedback reports highlighting existing best practices and the areas for improvement in each company. The assessors evaluate applications on the basis of the EFQM Excellence Model or DQA Criteria and the RADAR Scoring Methodology.
To register for DQA 2013 and to sign up as assessors, contact bec@dubaided.gov.ae or call on 04-4455833.
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About Department of Economic Development (DED):
The Department of Economic Development (DED) is the government body entrusted to set and drive the economic agenda of the emirate of Dubai, UAE. DED supports the structural transformation of Dubai into a diversified, innovative service-based economy that aims to improve the business environment and accelerate productivity growth.
DED and its agencies develop economic plans and policies, identify and support the growth of strategic sectors, and provide services to domestic and international investors and businesses.
For further information, please contact:
Nafisa Elmarzouky
Marketing & Communication Department
Department of Economic Development
Tel: (971 4) 3613067
Email: nafisa.elmarzouky@dubaided.gov.ae
© Press Release 2013
