July 17, 2004

e-TQM College today announced the conclusion of the mandatory summer term physical intensive session which forms a part of its acclaimed MSc in Total Quality and Performance Management Course. The summer term for 2004 covered the topic of TQM Sustainability through Six Sigma Quality and Benchmarking for Best Practices Management.

Commenting on the course content, Professor Mohamed Zairi, Dean, eTQM and Head of European Centre for Total Quality Management (ECTQM), said: "TQM sustainability is a key issue in ensuring operational success of an organisation adapting TQM practices. By offering the summer term courses on TQM sustainability, we wanted to train the students in two outstanding practices that assure a high degree of success in business applications."

The students attending the term accomplished 20 credits by attending two courses in two sessions over the summer. This year the summer term exposed the students to the concept of TQM sustainability through Six Sigma Quality and Benchmarking for Best Practices Management. The Six-Sigma Quality course enabled the students to gain an in depth understanding of the methodology and other related improvement tools. The students were also able to demonstrate its application in different contexts. The Benchmarking course allowed the students to critically examine the theory of Benchmarking for Best Practices and its application in different contexts. The course helped the students to develop the skills and competencies necessary for the useful implementation of Benchmarking.

The Six Sigma Quality methodology uses information and statistical analysis to measure and improve a company's operational performance. It is rigorous and systematic in its capability to identify and prevent defects in the operational performance, practices and systems of an organisation. Benchmarking Best Practices is the process of seeking out and studying the best internal practices in an organisation that produce superior performance.

The term, which ran from the 7th to 17th July 2004, consisted of lectures, workshops, and an oral presentation. The students are currently undertaking a six week project at the end of which they have to submit a written report. Subject experts from ECTQM, a part of School of Management Studies, University of Bradford, United Kingdom were present to give lectures and assess the performance of the students.

ECTQM is the leading global centre for TQM related research excellence and instruction. eTQM College has a close working relationship with the University of Bradford and has successfully delivered world-class programs in TQM throughout the Arab region in a customised e-learning environment.

Working under the auspices of Dubai Police, e-TQM College offers world-class online courses in Total Quality Management (TQM) customised to raise awareness of quality standards among professionals and learners in the region and encourage the application of TQM thinking in the Arab world by providing learning opportunities through open access using virtual learning environments.

e-TQM College has started accepting registrations for the Masters program in Total Quality and Performance Management for the new term beginning in October 2004. Prospective applicants can find the information about the Masters program on the eTQM College Website at www.etqm.net.

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© Press Release 2004