By Foday Moriba Conteh
In recognition of World Quality Week, observed annually in November to emphasize the significance of quality for organizations’ successes and people’s well-being, the Institute of Public Administration and Management, University of Sierra Leone (IPAM-USL), in collaboration with the University of the West of Scotland, successfully concluded a one-day student dialogue seminar on quality management on the theme: “Realizing Your Competitive Potential.”
The seminar, held on Tuesday, November 7th, 2023, brought together students from various departments, including the Accounting and Finance, Public Administration and Governance, Project Management, and more. The event took place at the IPAM Campus on Tower Hill in Freetown.
In his remarks, the Deputy Registrar of IPAM-USL, Munda Lebbie, said that the dialogue seminar transcends border and cultures, a purpose that unites them in their commitment to excellence in education-Global Quality Week.
He said that the Quality Week should motivate them to aim for excellence in whatever they do, even when there is no immediate oversight, adding that according to Henry Ford setting high standards is the foundation of quality which means doing it right when no one is looking.
Munda Lebbie pointed out that the theme for this year’s World Quality Week is “Realizing Your Competitive Potential” which, he said, is a testament to the intelligent efforts of educational institutions across the globe, the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to uphold the highest standards, and the collaborative spirit that unites individuals in their pursuits of quality.
He said that the week promises a rich needlepoint of knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and reflection as it offers all the opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, to exchange best practices and to reaffirm their collective commitment to quality education.
“I want to extend gratitude to the University of the West of Scotland and all stakeholders for making the effort to be with us, for it is through these collaborative efforts that we can enrich our own educational landscape. Alone, we can do so little; but together we can do so much. So let us make this a testament to the power of unity, cooperation and shared purpose,” the Deputy Registrar concluded.
On her part, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of IPAM, Prof. Miriam Conteh-Morgan, said that in recognition of World Quality Week, observed annually in November, the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) deemed it fit to participate in the global week by organizing a one-day student dialogue seminar on quality management.
She added that the whole idea of recognizing the World Quality Week is part of the University of Sierra Leone and the University of the West of Scotland signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Quality Management Systems in May this year.
Prof. Miriam Conteh-Morgan maintained that as part of the MOU the two institutions will collaboratively training professionals, lecturers etc. on quality management by offering ISO9001 courses.
She maintained that is not all about the quality of their processes but also how they see their students and how their students see them of which she noted that the idea of holding a one-day student dialogue seminar on quality management is for them to have an engagement.
The DVC also informed all that this also falls under two of the DVC’s Agenda which are I-infusing quality into all of their systems and processes and P- promoting students enrichment activities.
She revealed that the course on quality management is the first in the West Africa sub-region and IPAM is very proud to be hosting the course on quality management in the country.
On her part, the Program Leader, Msc. Quality Management at the University of the West of Scotland, Dr. Evi Viza who gave her remarks virtually, commended the Institute of Public Administration and Management, University of Sierra Leone (IPAM-USL) for holding the student dialogue seminar on quality management which she described as the first ever in the country.
She further described the event as very historic as the World Quality Week, observed annually in November, emphasizes the significance of quality for organizations’ success and people’s well-being.
Dr. Evi Viza said that the theme for this year’s World Quality Week is very appropriate for what is happening in the university and the country as a whole.
She said that the University of Sierra Leone has a long legacy of academic integrity and they are fully aware of students realizing their competitive potential which she said the University has been doing for centuries.
Presentations were done by students from various departments at IPAM which includes the Accounting and Finance, Public Administration and Governance, Information Systems and Technology, Human Resource and Entrepreneurship, Procurement and Project Management.
In their presentations these students highlighted some of the quality issues within their respective departments that prevent them from realizing their competitive potentials which includes classroom management, cases of missing grades, sex for grades. These issues were backed up with recommendations from the students to the institutions on how quality can be enhanced.
However, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of IPAM, Prof. Miriam Conteh-Morgan assured all that after listening to the issues raised by students and their recommendations IPAM will ensure that they are looked into and also implement the recommendations on how quality can be enhanced in the institution.
