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ISO is the
International Organization for Standards, which uses the alternative order of
acronym to accommodate for multiple translations and emphasis on the Greek word
‘isos’ (meaning ‘equal’). Now
based in Geneva, Switzerland, ISO started its operations in London, in 1947,
with the aim of facilitating “the international coordination and unification of
industrial standards”. With members from 165 countries and 3,368 technical
bodies to take care of its 19,500 standards development, the organization is a
non-governmental standard-setting body which gives world-class specifications
for products, services, and systems to ensure quality, safety and efficiency.
ISO 9001:2008 is a general international
standard for quality management, which sets out the requirements of a quality
management system. It contains standards for the performance of coordinated
activities to direct and control an organization with regard to quality. ISO
standards are based on the criteria of eight basic concepts through which the
managing institution can ensure the quality of its inputs, processes and
outputs effectively. All across the world, ISO 9001 certified institutions are
subject to periodic monitoring by the donors in order to ensure continuity of
adherence to the standards and specification processes, and to guarantee
continuous development and improvement in the organization.
Donor for ISO certification
 Donor
BVQi Inc. is a British company with French origins. It is one of the largest
international companies specialized in the accreditation and inspection for
various technological operating systems and was founded 180 years ago. It has
the right to grant accreditation in more than 30 different areas including:
quality, health, safety, environment, information security and social
responsibility. BVQI, Inc. has branches in more than 140 countries, and offers
general and specialized services in the areas of training, consulting and
accreditation to nearly 55,000 clients around the world.
Obtaining the ISO
The Faculty of Engineering leadership at KAU realized that
the application of requirements and overall quality standards is no longer a
luxury, but a necessity imposed by the times and development of technical means
in the planning, implementation and evaluation of performance. The Faculty of
Engineering has formed an executive body of working professionals, headed by
the Vice-Dean for Development, to act as an overall quality consultant group in
order to enhance the college’s administrative work systems in accordance with the
requirements of ISO 9001:2008. The consultant team prepared a quality
management system which is one of the most important elements upon which the
preparation of the external review and certification by the donor are based.
This system contains a policy manual and the quality objectives of the college.
It also includes work processes, models, graphic illustrations, the
organizational structure, and job descriptions for the faculty administrative
leadership.
The team completed the stages of the review/enhancement
plan over two semesters in 2005 and 2006. Subsequently, the college achieved the
ISO certificationon Monday, June 4, 2006. The Faculty of Engineering actively
proceeds towards quality self-study, and employs the methods of organized
action and continuous improvement needed to maintain this elite status, and to execute
its administrative development goals.
KAU Engineering ISO Executive Team
Achievements
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1-
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The
policy of quality has been modified, printed, configured and posted
in appropriate locations in offices and corridors of the college’s
buildings.
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2-
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The
system is available electronically (CD) and copies were distributed to all
faculty sections, departments and units upon the withdrawal of the paper
version.
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3-
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Preparation,
designation and adoption of questionnaires to measure customer satisfaction (service
users) in each of the units of Administrative Affairs, Finance and Salary departments
have been prepared. These questionnaires were reviewed and revised several
times for more accuracy and comprehensiveness in order to enable respondents to
readily understand the questions and provide clear answers. These
questionnaires were circulated in the above-mentioned units, and the results
are expected to be collated and analyzed before the next external inspection.
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4-
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Questionnaires
to measure customer satisfaction have been prepared in the Educational Affairs
Unit and Training Unit after the two units merged. Creation and
circulation of a questionnaire to measure customer satisfaction should also be
completed in the remaining faculty units.
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5-
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Mechanisms
have been identified to analyze and monitor the results of customer
satisfaction questionnaires for all such questionnaires in all faculty units.
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6-
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A
training course entitled "The Basics of the Quality Management System and
Internal Auditor ISO 9001: 2000" was delivered in the month of 01/1429H,
which was attended by 12 employees from the faculty and a trainee from the
Office of the University President.
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7-
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A
training course entitled: “Self-activation- Success Skills in Work and Life”
was delivered in the month of 02/1429H, and it was attended by 20 trainees and
the faculty staff.
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8-
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An
English language training course was delivered for faculty employees during the
period from 23/02/1429H. to 21/06/1429H. Up to 28 participants from the faculty
staff attended this course.
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9-
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A
training course entitled "Maintenance of Scientific Equipment" is
taking place and another course entitled "Discover Your Character"
was scheduled after the external inspection.
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10-
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An
understanding was reached with the Department of Electrical Engineering to hold
a training course on computer literacy for faculty employees.
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11-
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A training
file’ which includes the faculty training plan was designed. This starts with
collecting the faculty training needs assessment and determining the external
and internal training courses needed. The nature of training courses offered by
the faculty should also be determined by the training needs and wishes of the
participants attending these courses. After attending a particular training
course the trainee should fill out an assessment form and his or her immediate
supervisor should fill out the form of the trainee assessment within a month.
Having a card file of training is important for each trainee to record the
sessions he/she attended.
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12-
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The
executive body of working professionals held 15 meetings to address the external
inspection observations, follow-up on assignments, prepare for the training
courses, and to discuss some of the proposals. The minutes of these meetings
were sent to the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. Note: The total number of meetings
for the group amounts to 56 meetings to date.
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13-
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The
provision of two suggestions and complaint boxes provided to the beneficiaries
of the service was proposed to collect their opinions and suggestions so they
can be taken into account while addressing the drawbacks that hinder workflow.
These boxes are to be installed at the entrances, and should be opened more
than once a week. The working group is responsible for the process of opening
these boxes, looking for the proposals and complaints - if any, and presenting
them to the concerned college authority for follow-up. Moreover, a model for
suggestions and complaints should be placed next to each of the two boxes. The
procedure commenced once the approval of the Dean had been obtained.
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14-
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Two
workshops: The first public workshop was held on Saturday, 27/04/1429H, before
the date of the external inspection was expected (in May of 2008). The workshop
covered the definition of the requirements of ISO and the review of its new
version. The second workshop took place after the external inspection mentioned
above and it dealt with the concept of "Excellence".
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KAU Engineering Quality Management Task
Oversight and Completion
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1-
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Updating
the procedures of the English Language Unit and entering the information
into the system.
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2-
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Including
the procedures of the Accreditation Unit and entering the information into the
system.
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3-
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Evaluating
the faculty administrative units and examining the achievements and the future
development plan for each unit.
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4-
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Reviewing all quality records.
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5-
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Preparing
the files of quality management representatives following the application of
particles requirements system on the special files for the quality management
representative.
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6-
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Preparing
the agenda of internal inspection and distributing the tasks of the internal
auditors.
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7-
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Analyzing
the content of the internal inspection tables, reviewing the shortcomings of
the various sectors of the faculty and making necessary adjustments.
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8-
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Following-up
the achievement of the Deanship of the Faculty Objectives (Dean of the Faculty)
and the Vice-Deans of the Faculty and preparing the necessary reports.
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9-
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Reviewing the quality manual.
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10-
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Distributing
the Quality Manual (Version III) according to the standards of the quality
system.
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