Dubai Quality Group (DQG), a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising the general performance level of the local business environment, has announced that a delegation of 24 students from George Washington University recently completed a study-tour in Dubai where it received a deep insight into DQG’s role in promoting quality and improving business standards.

The students had been required to visit and study the business dynamics of a certain country for one semester as part of their Master’s Degree programme under the university’s business administration faculty. For this purpose, the group chose the UAE, particularly the booming emirate of Dubai, while DQG was among three quality-oriented organisations selected as business models for the activity.
“DQG plays an important role in the UAE’s economic development by helping cultivate a culture of excellence across all sectors. It has been a pleasure showcasing DQG’s aims, achievements and plans to our visitors from George Washington University, who have been impressed by the rapid economic gains made by the UAE,” said Marwan Al Sawaleh, DQG chairman.
Delegation head Dr Salah S Hassan, chairman and professor of global marketing and strategic brand management of the business school’s department of marketing, observed: “We have conducted study programmes in various places around the world including China, India and London, but this is the first time we have brought the students to the Middle East. We have chosen Dubai as we consider it a gateway to the region. This trip will be a significant eye opener for the students on the economic potential of the region.”
Dr Hassan added: “We are grateful to Dubai Quality Group for the opportunity to learn more about the organisation. DQG plays an important role in maintaining the business community’s high-quality standards, which serve as the backbone of economic prosperity.”
The students specifically explored DQG’s history, its portfolio of operations and the major programmes and services it has implemented. The group also focused on the role of DQG in Dubai’s business environment and in building business partnerships for economic development. Additionally, the students identified the opportunities and challenges facing non-governmental organisations in the UAE and the rest of the Gulf region, and analysed major initiatives directed at sustainable development.
“DQG has been in close coordination with various professional bodies and academic institutions all over the world. It is an honour to have attracted the interest of another internationally recognised business school, which only affirms DQG’s growing global reputation as a bastion of business excellence,” said Al Sawaleh.
DQG has intensified its campaigns across all sectors as part of its aim to project an image of high-quality, innovation and excellence for Dubai and the rest of the country. DQG has conducted numerous high-profile networking events, benchmarking activities and comprehensive workshops and seminars that offer high-impact results in terms of improving business performance and quality standards.
“DQG plans to enhance existing programmes and develop more innovative strategies designed to help fast track the country’s economic development. It is also our aim to further expand our reach across all sectors of society and encourage as many organisations as possible to be part of our advocacy for excellence,” said Al Sawaleh.
Meanwhile, DQG sent a number of its members as delegates on a benchmarking exercise to the UK in order to learn from and compare best practices of world-renowned organisations.  The activity, held in collaboration with Excellence Mentors and Sheffield Hallam University included a visit to Siemens Automation and Drives Group and Capita UK, where members discussed people management and people results criteria of the excellence model with senior managers of the two EFQM award-winning UK companies.
Benchmarking, which is an integral part of total quality management, stimulates continuous performance evaluation and refinement to achieve optimal operations. Benchmarking encouraging companies to compare processes, products and services with other global high-performing counterparts, as a result of which it outlasts and outperforms various other management tools and techniques. Benchmarking is also thought to be a highly profitable investment, as studies by the American Productivity and Quality Centre reveal that the average return of benchmarking is five times the cost of the study.