Importance of implementing quality systems in institutions and their role in achieving excellence
Our pure Islamic religion attaches great importance to the completion of work and the importance of perfecting it. Quality has been incorporated as an essential component of Islamic civilisation for nearly 1,500 years. Excellent workmanship is the road to success and prosperity in this world as well as in the hereafter.
This is clearly evident in the guidance of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in the hadith narrated by Imam al-Bayhaqi – may God have mercy on him – The Prophet always called upon people to perfect their work. On the authority of the Mother of Believers, Aisha, when he saw a little gap between bricks in a grave, the Prophet immediately ordered his companions to fill it, saying: “Allah loves that whenever any of you does something, you should perfect it”.
This is considered the best guide and the guidance for adopting the proficiency in work as a method of life, and from this point of view, it becomes clear to us that Islam called for the importance of quality, and rewarded for it; Because of its positive aspects over time; From detecting errors and deviations, and trying to correct them.
Governments in most countries of the world are interested in spreading awareness about the importance of implementing quality management systems, in order to raise productivity and improve the efficiency of services, through the use of modern methods of management. Ensuring quality maintains the continuity of institutions and their survival in the midst of competitive crowding among them.
The concept of quality management is one of the modern administrative concepts, which is based on a set of ideas, standards and principles that any department can adopt, in order to achieve the best possible performance. Therefore, the need has become necessary to apply this concept as an entrance to organizational development aimed at improvement, and to maintain the continuity of the organizational structure. and enable it to face challenges.
The correct application of the concepts of quality management requires training and educating employees with the methods and tools of these concepts on sound scientific foundations, which leads to the desired results from its application. Application without an understanding of its principles and requirements may lead to catastrophic failure.
One of the most important objectives of quality implementation and training is to spread awareness of the concept of quality, and to enable participants to learn about development methods for the ways and methods of doing business. Therefore, training must be directed at all levels of management – senior, middle and executive – and must meet the requirements of each level according to the challenges they face.
In general, the training should address the importance of quality, its tools and methods, the acquisition of problem-solving skills, the skills necessary for decision-making, principles of effective leadership, in addition to training on statistical methods, and methods of measuring performance indicators.
Hence the importance of quality management in achieving focus on the beneficiaries’ needs, which represent the cornerstone of the system. It is essential to work on translating these needs into executable specifications, and to develop simple procedures for quality performance to achieve the highest performance in all areas, and to achieve global quality standards in job sites.
This is not limited to goods and services. It is important to verify the projects’ need for improvement, developing performance measures, and increasing the competitiveness of enterprises.
This can be done through a full and detailed understanding of competitors, with the effective development of the competitive strategy to develop the work of enterprises, and to ensure comprehensive continuous improvement of all sectors, levels and activities of the establishment.
Thus, developing and improving operations, and increasing the efficiency of the enterprise; to satisfy the beneficiaries, and achieving excellence for the employees. This in turn will lead to improving the image and reputation of the entity in the eyes of the business community, increasing profitability, and improving the economics of the establishment.
The application of quality management is necessary to obtain some international certificates of quality; Such as ISO certificates of all categories, training employees on the method of developing operations, and following up and developing tools for measuring the performance of these operations.
The application of quality systems has become one of the main objectives that establishments seek to implement. It is considered an important competitive weapon that the any organization or business uses to achieve leadership in its performance and move forward on the path of excellence.
Today, quality is the common denominator of the concerns of managers and specialists including engineers, economists and administrators all over the world.
Quality management in Educational institutions
It is a logical result and a basic entry point for governmental and private organizations, to face the internal and external challenges they face. These organizations include universities and educational institutions. Especially as universities occupy a prominent position in society; Because of their great responsibility in preparing qualified and specialized cadres to achieve comprehensive development, to lay the foundations for scientific and technical progress, and to direct the results of scientific research for the benefit of society’s institutions and development.
In the face of these challenges, the universities had to address them, by developing their organizations administratively and technically. This aims to increase their ability to keep pace with and confront these changes through the application of continuing education, community service, distance education, developing admission systems, updating programs, developing research capabilities in partnership with local community institutions.
Universities also work on developing monitoring, follow-up and evaluation processes, in order to rationalize resources, capabilities, and ensure high quality of performance and achievement for all the university’s elements and components; As a means to achieve progress, competition and participation.
The implementation of the quality management system in educational institutions requires the quality of all elements and inputs, whether human or material.
The ability to manage institutions and their vital programs is what distinguishes societies, and this responsibility lies with the management of human resources; It is the first and important factor in activating quality management.
The availability of skills and competencies of human cadres, training and motivation are among the most important elements necessary for the organization to achieve its goals.
Achieving success and excellence requires attention and care for individuals; Starting from the selection and appointment process, performance appraisal, training programs, motivation methods, and other elements that contribute to achievement.
Therefore, the achievement and success in providing services depends on the quality of those administrative services, which are provided by these institutions to reach excellence in performance, through the presence of effective administrative leadership that works to spread the culture of quality, and attention to strategic planning.
Based on the foregoing, the success of institutions depends on the level of quality of services provided by the administration, which leads to the achievement of its objectives efficiently and effectively in a way that affects the level of quality of its outputs and results. Hence, it falls upon them to create services and provide them with high levels of quality, and to carry out research and scientific studies to serve their community; This can only be achieved by following and applying quality management best practices to reach a high level of performance.
Dr. Abdul Majeed bin Muhammad Aloumi, is an expert in quality, organizational excellence, strategic planning and risk management.
