<<Print>>

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has begun Africa�s first-ever MBA in Total Quality Management (TQM). The innovative Masters� degree-level course was entirely designed by the University�s Dean of School of Graduate Studies, Professor Mrs. Goski Alabi with support from Mr. Lionel Abbey, a Senior Quality Manager for the London Underground. Prof. Mrs. Alabi and Mr. Abbey, who are both members of the globally recognised Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) said the new 24-month MBA programme is a blended learning course that supports the development and growth of organisations through the principles and philosophy of TQM. Total Quality Management is a comprehensive and structured approach to organizational management that seeks to improve the quality of products and services through ongoing refinements in response to continuous feedback. The discipline is a system of management based on the principle that every member of staff must be committed to maintaining high standards of work in every aspect of a company's operations. Prof. Mrs. Alabi who is one of the leading experts in Leadership and Quality Management and lead lecturer on the programme stated that: �Organizations today need quality tools, techniques and skills to cope with the uncertainties and rapid changes in the world of work. Organizations in Ghana, Africa and beyond must be efficient, effective and competitive to catch up with the rest of the world but cannot rely on the existing culture for the transformation. The programme therefore provides the tools and techniques as well as practical skills for organizational transformation. If Japan can, why not Ghana and Africa.� The programme is uniquely designed to meet the professional needs of managers in public and private sectors, as well as teaching graduates how to create processes to help create and deliver value that meet the ever-changing needs of customers. �I am delighted to support the development of the Quality profession in governmental and private sectors via collaboration,� said Mr. Abbey. �The only way to make an impact is by having quality professionals at all levels of decision-making within organisations, where they can help develop effective business management processes built on solid quality foundations,� he further noted. In an article published in the January 2014 edition of the Quality World magazine, the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) commended the UPSA for taking the initiative and leading the African continent in the area of Quality Management. The Total Quality Management programme currently has its first batch of students taking various course models, including, Using Quality to Improve Business Performance, Quality Planning and Assurance, Quality in Documentation and Information Management, Quality in the Supply Chain, Technology of Quality Management, Quality Management Systems Model (with emphasis on ISO 9001implementation), Management Systems Audit, and Managing People and Work Environment in Quality. The rest are: Legal Aspects of Business, Financial Management for Leaders, Economics for Managers, Organizational Behaviour and Management, Corporate Governance & Business Ethics, Quantitative Techniques for Management Decisions, Management Information Systems, Production & Operations Management, Project Work, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, Strategic Leadership, and Business Research Methods. The second batch of students will be admitted in September, but applications are currently being received by the University.