VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | October – December 2022 6 The Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC), on December 9, 2022, announced plans to achieve the quality management system - ISO9001: 2015 Certification, at a launch ceremony held at the FENC Conference Room, Papine Campus. ISO 9001:2015 is a worldwide standard that sets requirements for a strong Quality Management System. It details specific processes, procedures and activities that organizations must create, implement, maintain and improve in order to successfully manage making products or delivering services. Professor Sean Thorpe, Dean, FENC explained to the gathering of members of academic and administrative staff from across Colleges and Faculties, that the impetus to obtain ISO9001 certification is being pursued against the background of the UTech, Jamaica Quality Policy which sets out metrices for how Colleges and Faculties at the University should be managing their teaching and learning processes in the complete life cycle from student enrolment to graduation. Consistent with this thrust for strengthening of quality outcomes, the Dean noted that “our ambition in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing is to be measured by world standards,” pointing out that “the ISO9001: 2015 revision is one of the world’s leading standards and a good benchmark for us as an academic institution.” He emphasised that in addition to ensuring that FENC standards are on par with world class standards for academic institutions, the ISO9001 certification will also mean greater market competitiveness and global recognition of the Faculty’s programmes of study. Professor Thorpe also pointed out that many companies in Jamaica have sought to realign their businesses to ensure ISO9001 standard is implemented. Anticipating that the Faculty of Engineering and Computing’s preparation for application for ISO9001 certification will be rolled out over the next 12 -18 months, Professor Thorpe explained that “the Faculty has decided to do what we have termed a proof of concept in the University,” which he noted can be replicated by other Colleges and Faculties also intending to pursue ISO9001certification. In preparation to engage in the rigorous process leading to application, several members of the University’s Administrative and Academic staff have been trained in an online sensitization session. The Dean shared that the Faculty intends to leverage its professional industry relationships as part of the preparation process, noting many of the University’s alumni have been ISO9001 certified and are willing to lend support to the efforts at UTech, Jamaica. During the launch, expert presentations were made by guest speaker Mrs. Navenia Wellington-Ford, Manager, of the Bureau of Standards parent company led - National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ), who took the audience through a step-by-step implementation guideline of the stages that must be undertaken in readiness for submission for ISO9001: 2015 application; and by Mr. Sean Barrows, Director, ISO Project Office – Jamaica Customs Agency who detailed how his company engaged its entire organization in the process of obtaining the ISO9001: 2015 Quality Management System certification. Certificates of completion for participation in an ISO9001 Sensitization Session were presented by Mr. Jacob McLean, Managing Director, Kaizen Training and Management Consultants Limited, who conducted the session with Deans of the University’s Colleges and Faculties, as well as other members of administrative and academic staff. Faculty of Engineering and Computing Announces Plans to Achieve World Standard ISO9001:2015 Certification Professor Sean Thorpe, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computing (FENC) addresses the audience during the ISO9001:2015 Certification launch ceremony hosted by the Faculty on December 9, 2022, at the FENC Conference Room, Papine Campus. Dr. Garfield Young (left), Dean, Faculty of The Built Environment, accepts the certificate of completion of the ISO 9001 sensitization session from Mr. Jacob McLean, Managing Director, Kaizen Training and Management Consultants Limited. He also accepted certificates on behalf of other Deans of the University’s Colleges and Faculties.
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