What is ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems?

ISO 9001 is defined as the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). Organizations use the standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. It is the most popular standard in the ISO 9000 series and the only standard in the series to which organizations can certify.

ISO 9001 Certification Process

Step 1: Preparation

The first step addresses how to best prepare for the implementation of ISO 9001.

Set the Quality Objective

The quality objectives of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) are as follows;

• Develop and apply quality benchmarks and parameters for various academic and administrative activities of the institution.
• Gather feedback from students, alumni, employers and other stakeholders on quality-related institutional processes.
• Disseminate information on various quality parameters of higher education.
• Organize institutional workshops, seminars on quality-related themes and promotion of quality circles.
• Document various programmes/activities leading to quality improvement.
• Develop and maintain an institutional database for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing institutional quality.
• Prepare the necessary reports as per guidelines and parameters of the various accreditation bodies.

ULAB’s Quality Policy Statement

The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh is committed to develop a system for conscious, consistent and catalytic action to improve the academic and administrative performance of the institution. Furthermore, it aims to promote measures for institutional functioning towards quality enhancement through internalization of quality culture and institutionalization of best practices.

To realize this, the university management has established an Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), which would plan, implement, monitor and evaluate various quality assurance initiatives.  These initiatives aim to meet quality standards required by the University Grants Commission (UGC), select local and international accreditation bodies, and the quality management systems-based ISO 9001:2015. 

Choose an Approach towards Certification

Consultant (hands-on)

ULAB chose a consulting company Social Vision Corporation Limited to help in ISO Certification Process. Social Vision Corporation Ltd offers Internationally accredited ISO certificates such as  ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO  22000:2005 Food Safety Management System, ISO 14001:2015 Environment Management System, OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Hazards & Safety Assurance and ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System, A team of certified expert ISO Auditors work in the organization. Social Vision started working with ULAB in July 2015.

Appoint the ISO Lead Person

Professor Jude William Genilo was appointed Management Representative of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) on March 16, 2016. The others members of ISO Internal Audit Committee are:

• Wazir AF Ahmad (Assistant Professor, USB)
• Asif U. Ahmed (Assistant Professor, USB)
• Habibur Rahman (Joint Registrar, Registry Office)
• Zamal Uddin Bhuiyan (Deputy Registrar, Admissions Office)
• Roknuzzaman (Sr. Deputy Manager, F&A)
• Joyanti Bardhan (Assistant Manager, IQAC)

Training and Awareness

The following workshops were conducted by Social Vision.

• Workshop on Quality Management System Awareness (12 March 2016)

• ISO:9001 Certification Process Workshop (15 June 2016)

 Step 2: Documentation

Which documents are required by ISO 9001?

Though ISO 9001 has become less prescriptive regarding the number of required documents, the following are part of any quality management system: 

• Quality policy
• Procedures
• Scope of the quality management system
• Process map (flowchart)
• Quality objectives
• Work instructions
• Forms

IQAC conducted a training on 4 April 2019 regarding document reference number. Each department was required to submit a document masterlist.

Step 3: Internal Audit

The following internal audits were conducted with the assistance of Social Vision

16 March 2016, 27 March 2016, 29 March 2016, 17 April 2016, 26 April 2016, 5 May 2016, 12 May 2016, 24 October 2018 and 31 March 2019.

Step 4: Certification

To prepare for the Final Audit scheduled on 31 July, a pre-audit meeting will be held on 25 July 2019.

How to Prepare for the Certification Audit:

• It is important to prepare your staff for the certification audit. There are several items that should be addressed prior to the day the auditor arrives:
• Make staff relaxed explain what to expect from the audit and the auditor.
• Documents document control is always verified so be sure that there are no outdated or uncontrolled documents floating around.
• Questions practice typical audit questions to ensure staff will understand the auditor. Some of the frequently asked questions include “How do you know that you perform your work correctly”(the auditor wants to know about performance criteria and measurements) and “How do you contribute to the objectives of your company's quality policy?” (Checking understanding of the quality policy and its application in daily work).
• Answers employees should answer auditor questions truthfully but without volunteering additional information.

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