Dubai Economy has conducted its first ever online workshops for the new applicants in the 2020 cycle of the Dubai Quality Award (DQA) and Dubai Human Development Award (DHDA). The workshops were part of the relentless efforts of the Business Excellence Department in Dubai Economy to sustain the excellence journey in the UAE and were conducted online in view of the precautionary measures against COVID-19.

Over3,000 Assessors have been trained, more than 620organisations recognised, and numerous initiatives launched to engage private businesses and government entities in innovation and improvement as part of the excellence movement spearheaded by the Business Excellence Department during the last 26 years. The Dubai Quality Global Award, the Dubai Quality Award for Representative Entities and the Dubai Quality Smart Industry Award are a few examples of the initiatives rolled out progressively by the Business Excellence Department.

In recent months, the Award Office has intensified its efforts to help organisations manage the ongoing crisis, providing knowledge and tools around the excellence framework, innovation and sustainability. It has also led the way in embracing the virtual mode of operation, not only by hosting online training sessions but also launching a new online platform for all the Award processes and stakeholders.

The DQA workshop had 40 attendees while the DHDA session attracted 20, and the participants represented diverse business sectors, including finance, healthcare, tourism, construction, service, manufacturing, transport and logistics, as well as the government. The participants were addressed by EFQM trainers, Dr Laura Salasco, Dr Franco Pieracci and Mr Marc Karschies, on how to conduct self-assessments and write their award submissions for the 2020 cycle.

The workshops were organised with the purpose of encouraging the business community and employers to participate in DQA and DHDA, which are the longest-running Business Excellence Awards of Dubai Economy. Participants in the workshops are trained on the management framework to implement in order to improve business performance, service quality and human development. They also learn how to self-assess their progress (and eligibility for the Awards) and how to prepare an effective Award submission.

Shaikha Ahmed Al Bishri, Director of the Business Excellence Department, said that the workshops reflect the commitment of Dubai Economy in addressing the current and future needs of businesses and supporting them to adapt and grow sustainably. “We have hosted a series of business-related webinars for the community free of cost, to enable them address the current challenges and become future-ready. The response we received for the online workshops has been encouraging and we look forward to working with the community and hosting more such workshops, to address their needs from time to time.”

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.

DHDA is open to all UAE-based establishments in the private and government sectors that invest in national human resources and facilitate their growth and development within their organisation.

The two awards are given in three main categories – The Gold Category, Award Category and Appreciation Category.

For further details on the Awards, please write to bec@dubaided.gov.ae or call+9714 4455833.