On Thursday, 26 October 2023, the Department of Operations and Quality Management in the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) concluded a four-day lecture series with Mr Sunil Thawani, who is an Author, Fellow of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and a Board Member and CEO, Quality Indeed Consulting Ltd. Dubai, UAE.
The lecture series which took place online and in person (hybrid) began on Monday, 23 October 2023. The overall objective of the lecture series was to improve delegates’ understanding of Operations and Quality Management by placing them into a global context so that they can expand their thinking beyond the South African borders. The gathering also aimed at stimulating critical thinking and the application of philosophies from a global perspective.
On the first day of the gathering, Professor Shalini Singh, Associate Professor: Operations and Quality Management took to the podium as programme director welcoming the delegates which comprised of students and staff.
Professor Manduth Ramchander, Head of the Department for Operations and Quality, welcomed the attendees which also included Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences at DUT. Prof Ramchander encouraged delegates to participate, engage and have some good takeaways.
Prof Netswera applauded the department for hosting what he described as an important and much-needed congress.
“When I saw the Operations and Quality Management Lecture Series, I thought this was great because quality is everybody’s responsibility. We need to make sure that whatever we do, we do it out of love and passion so that we provide a quality service. We are indeed delighted that we will spend these four days looking at issues associated with quality,” said Prof Netswera.
The lecture series focused on “Exploring global perspectives in Operations and Quality Management”. Day one saw Thawani presenting insights on the evolution of Total Quality Management Concepts. He concluded the day’s session looking at Business Excellence Models. Day two’s presentation looked at “Shifting the thinking from Correction to Prevention and Quality Control to Quality Assurance.” The day ended with a presentation on Business Process Management/Continual Improvement Strategy and Framework.
Day three’s opening session highlighted why it is imperative to implement standards and quality control. Thawani’s presentation dissected “Organising for Quality-Compliance to Standards, ISO 9001, ISO14001, ISO 45001 and their integration.” Customer experience and Customer Journeys wrapped up the day’s discussion.
The closing day saw discussions on Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in Quality Systems and Strategy Development. Thawani also zoomed on Process Optimisation, Business Transformation/ UAE’s Journey Towards Excellence.
The advantages of participating in this lecture series were to:
- Stimulate corporate quality culture which is so important to support the success of the adoption of quality tools and practices.
- Improve diagnosis and problem solving systematically
- Have a better understanding of the cause of variation in manufacturing and service organisation.
- Facilitate the understanding and interpretation of data, process variability, process capability, product liability and product recalls.
- Benchmarking with global organisations.
- Follow trends in the quality auditing process.
- Facilitate quality improvement initiatives in under-researched areas.
Pictured: Distinguished guests at the lecture series
Photographer: Robin Moodley
Zandile Mahlobo
