Minister pleased with organisation’s
dedication - Pg 1
QC for schools - Pg 1
QC for all-inclusive development
- Pg 2
Local team shines at international
arena - Pg 3
Convention inspires FMF staff - Pg 3
Q
uality circle is a key driver towards
economic growth.
Participation of the investment,
private and public sector in quality conventions
is a testimony of commitment to growth and
development in organisations.
Minister for Education, Heritage & Arts,
Honourable Dr Mahendra Reddy while
speaking at the 21st National Convention on
Quality said the introduction of quality circles
in Fiji has seen great improvement in many
organisations.
“Since it was first introduced in the 90s, to
date, we have witnessed significant benefits
such as reduction in operational expenses and
improvement in employee morale, workplace
morale and customer satisfaction. In my two
years in the public sector, I can vouch for
how much we need this kind of innovation to
assist us in fine-tuning and improving service
delivery,” said Dr Reddy.
The Honourable Minister acknowledged the
participating quality circle teams saying the
vast turnout is an encouraging sight.
“The mix of those who have been in
attendance today has been overwhelming.
This perfect blending
FEA is QC’s best - Pg 4
Team Inspire wins bronze - Pg 4
T
he National Convention on Quality
(NCQ) is vital to the country’s
productivity and quality revolution in
empowering and providing Fijian organisations
with the knowledge base on which to build
more innovative, prosperous and inclusive
future.
Speaking at the 21st NCQ at Novotel
Convention Centre in Lami, Fiji National
University (FNU) Vice Chancellor, Professor
Nigel Healey said enhancing the innovative
ability in organisations is important which
increases profitability and growth.
The Fiji National University Newsletter tracks media coverage of FNU events on a weekly basis. The
following news can be found on the website which shows how FNU was featured in the media in the
past week.
• Minister Reddy Praises Convention
• Reddy: Quality the key
• FEA Takes Gold
• University looks at Elf vehicles for Fiji
• Mitchell: Three-year Journey Pays Off
• Plea for productivity
of people possess such rich knowledge
based on highly empowered commitment.
I am sure the deliberations today have
set greater benchmarks,” the
hon.
Minister said.
With the government’s aspiration to
attain peace and prosperity, Minister
Reddy said the convention theme
‘Synergise to innovate and grow’ is a
step in the right direction to renovation,
growth and development.
“This national plan is such that it builds
around all key partners and stakeholders
who innovate to collaborate in enhancing
performance to enhance quality, improve
productivity and contribute effectively to
nation building,” he said.
Dr Reddy said every organisation must
continue to develop to allow Fiji to have a
competitive edge in global market.
Q
u a l i t y
circles (QC)
are
being
proposed
for
the
upgrade
and
improvement of the
education
system
standards.
Minister
for
Education, Heritage
& Arts, Dr Mahendra
Reddy believes QC
will further improve
quality in service
delivery by teachers.
“We could initiate by
developing
clusters
for quality circles
among our schools
and see how it could
motivate our school
heads and teachers
to improve quality in
service delivery in the education sector,
particularly in primary and secondary
level,” said Dr Reddy.
The Education Minister said in this
developing and advanced age, quality in
service delivery is essential.
“It’s important that while we provide
subject matter knowledge which no doubt
contributes towards enhancement of
quality, we must also inculcate a culture of
quality among our students,” he said.
Dr Reddy also highlighted that having
the right attitude commands quality.
“The quality journey emphasises a
culture of doing better. Quality changes by
input choice, input mix, cost and technical
efficiency. The 21st century, is the century
for the race to quality. Quality is a demand
of customers; quality is what consumers
should pay for.”
“Fijian organisations that have embraced
quality and productivity have increased their
profitability and have become competitive and
sustainable,” said FNU Vice Chancellor.
“Organisations, that have sought training
for their Circles, that repeatedly undertake
improvement projects, have sustainable
quality circle programs and activities have
been the biggest beneficiaries of Quality
Circle to date. Events and discussion forums
like NCQ are vital catalyst to the country in
terms of economic growth and development.
“Over the past decade, the QC Circles in Fiji
have contributed millions of dollars in savings,
reduction of wastage and the development
of new products and revenues through a
multitude of QCC projects,” he said.
Professor Healey said this would also
improve employee morale, efficiency, higher
customer satisfaction, and an overall better
working condition.
He said the challenge now for organisations
was to be innovative and creative in a highly
competitive marketplace.
“I am convinced that there is a compelling
need to lay strong foundations for improvement
today so that we can wake up to a better
quality of life tomorrow. Our strengths should
be channeled into building Fiji’s economic
capacity because after all, it is about creating
a better quality of life for all Fijians.”
Acting Director National Training &
Productivity Centre (NTPC), Mr Peni Taoi said
NTPC will strive to facilitate efforts so that the
industry can remain competitive.
“The theme for this year’s NCQ 2016 is
“Synergize to Innovate & Grow”, a theme
which resonates with Fiji’s aspirations towards
fostering productivity and innovation in its
pursuit of further growth and development.
Quality is the way forward,” he said.
Mr Taoi said NTPC will continue to provide
local companies with international exposure
to benchmark from.
T
eam Jetsetters from iTLTB attained
a three star rating at this year’s
International Exposition on Team
Excellence (IETEX) in Singapore.
Gold winners of last year’s National
Convention on Quality (NCQ), team
Jetsetters were provided the opportunity by
the National Training & Productivity Centre
(NTPC) to represent Fiji at 2016 IETEX
where they achieved the highest ever rating
M
ore than seventy
employees of the
Flour Mills of Fiji
Group of companies attended
the
National
Convention
on Quality at the Novotel
Convention Centre in Lami.
This opportunity provided the
employees to better understand
the quality circle process which
they would be able to utilise at
their own workplace.
The Managing Director of
FMF Group of companies, Mr
Ram Bajekal (pictured) said it
was inspiring to witness how the
quality circles (QC) in Fiji have
contributed millions of dollars
in savings through reduction
in wastage and development
of new products and revenues
through QC projects.
Mr Bajekal said not only mega
million dollar projects but even
one cent saving contributes to
the country’s economy.
“It is inspiring to see people
attained by any Fijian team.
Acting Director NTPC, Mr Peni Taoi said
this conforms NTPC’s on-going commitment
to provide local companies with international
exposure.
“This international exposition provides a
platform for quality experts, quality circle
practitioners and enthusiasts from all over
the world to learn from the experiences and
good practices of international organisations
and teams,” he said.
Mr Taoi said NTPC has organised a
number of study missions such as this to
encourage local organisations to learn from
best performing overseas organisations.
Quality Circle Leader of 2015 of Team
Jetsetters, Ms Unise Duavesi said the
opportunity of presenting at international
level gave them a deeper understanding of
quality circles.
“The projects that were presented at
IETEX were very advanced and I thank
Fiji National University for providing this
opportunity to enhance productivity at
our workplace. Being rated nine out of
the 32 competing teams is a milestone
achievement for the country.
The team’s project last year was to
improve delay in the processing time of new
lease offer.
“Our process usually takes four months’
time where tenants always complain that
it takes too much time for them to get their
offer letter. Hence, our project was to reduce
the processing time. With the reduction in
processing time, we managed to reduce
customer complains as well. Not only this,
but the impacts were evident on our income
too. Because we were able to release more
lease offers on time we received more
income on time,” said Ms Duavesi.
She advised this year’s winning team to
stay focused during the presentation and be
familiar with every aspect of the project and
the criteria.
was only the quality assurance
and quality pro people that
would be responsible not
realising that this is something
that has to be looked at by every
single person in the process,”
said Mr Bajekal.
When asked if FMF will
compete in future convention,
the director said that depends
who are at the absolute forefront on the employees.
of the processes, some at the
“We have a very autonomous
junior most level, come up here way of working. We try and
in front of so many people make
presentations of this caliber
and class. Every little drop
counts, hence, having QCs in
any organisation is extremely
necessary,” he said
FMF does not have Quality
Circles instead they are called
Productivity Circles.
“We call them Productivity
Circles because when we
started calling them Quality
Circles a lot of people
automatically assumed that it
build their skills and give them
the exposure to skills that they
would need at their workplace.
We do not push them into
competition, we rather provide
them the skills and give them
the competencies that they
require and if they feel like they
want to compete, we leave it to
them. I’m sure they’ll be very
inspired after seeing these
people and next year someone
will aspire to compete.”
F
iji Electricity Authority, Team Rhizome
has been crowned winner of the 2016
National Convention on Quality.
Representing FEA from the burning West
in Navutu, Lautoka; the team was surely
on fire as it took to stage to present their
Quality circle project on ‘Innovation to Better
services.’
The team edged out the eight other
participating Quality Circle teams to become
the winner.
Team Leader, Rajnil Prasad said to win
acknowledges determination, hard work and
is a dream come true.
“After Tropical Cyclone Winston, FEA had
the greatest challenge to fix fallen power
lines and provide electricity back into every
home. Our team had to worked extra hours
and go the extra mile to prepare for the
competition but we were determined and
worked extremely hard to get to where to
are,” said Mr Prasad.
“The boys have truly prepared well for
the competition and it’s amazing to see the
fruit of our hard work. I must thank our team
especially, not forgetting the management
and staff of FEA in Lautoka for all their
contributions to this achievement. We also
want to thank our family who has supported
us through the journey, this win is for
everyone,” he said.
The team highlighted customer satisfaction
has always been their core business and
they see innovation as the means to achieve
excellence.
“We
serve
approximately
72,000
customers in the Western Division and
set off with our QC journey with a target to
improve work standard in customer services
by 46.46%. With the implementation of the
QC project we have seen how appreciative
our customers are and are not frustrated like
before,” said Mr Prasad.
The team did not disappoint with a creative
presentation with props being the centre of
attention on stage.
“It was our aim to make our presentation
creative and interactive which was how
and why we came up with the props of our
presentation. We had the fishbone which
was the centre of attention in our whole
presentation but we are glad the hardwork
was acknowledged. Our Manager Human
Resources was very helpful and creative, he
put in the idea for the fishbone prop and it
did wonders.”
FEA Manager HR, Mr Naveen Lakshmaiya
said the win is FEA’s success.
“Quality Circle is a tool that we use to
engage our employees and we have been in
this journey since 2012 and this is our second
Singapore win. We have been the model of
this organisation, we have won two gold and
silver awards and this is entirely to lift up the
creativity of the team,” Mr Lakshmaiya said.
The team will now represent Fiji to the 2017
International Exposition of Team Excellence
Symposium (IETEX) in Singapore organised
by the Singapore Productivity Association.
1. How do you feel after winning silver
in the 2016 NCQ?
We are humbled and elated to win Silver.
This is the culmination of our QC journey
for 2016 and to be winning Silver at NCQ
is a real bonus. For us, being part of the
journey is rewarding as we learnt
a lot of things and each exposure
and experience helps us to
prepare better for the future.
2. You have also won Best
QC Facilitator of the year, any
message to all the Quality
Circle Facilitator.
I am grateful to FNU/NTPC
and the QC Secretariat for the
recognition this year. To all the
facilitators, my message would
be to keep doing what you’re
doing to the best of your ability.
The rewards will come, it may
take time, but it will come. Most
of it is in the form of intangibles - like
improved teamwork and communication,
people taking ownership and finally having
a sense of belonging in their work, that is the
main reward - seeing your teams become
better at analytical tools and growing out of
their comfort zones, challenging the status
quo and just want to be change agents for
the organisation.
3. iTLTB had won Gold at the last
years NCQ, did that put the Team into
any pressure in terms of the preparation
and how Team Drua had performed this
year?
Both TLTB teams knew they were going to
defend the Gold this year, but we did not
allow this to pressure us. We were going
to prepare well and enjoy the experience.
Making our own history at NCQ is more
important than being pressured, which
would have caused us to not do
well. Both teams prepared well,
but in the end it’s always the better
team that wins, in this case FEA
took out the Gold.
4. Any message to the team for
2017.
We wish the FEA team all the best
for the IETEX 2017 and hope they
do us all proud in Singapore. To
all the other QC teams, you’re all
doing a great job in contributing to
the productivity of this great nation.
It’s about everyone winning. When
we do well, our company does well,
and when our company does well
the returns get shared back with us and in
the end this goes back into the economy,
we raise our standard of living which is the
output and main aim of all these initiatives,
and of course improving the economy.
Team Drua first came on stage in 2015.
Even though they were not placed, they
had learnt a lot from last year’s journey and
experiences, especially after presenting at
the NCQ. The exposure last year helped
them in preparing well for this year. They
won gold at our internal QC convention, Ms. Raijieli Gade
and Silver at the National QC convention.
T
eam Inspire of the Fiji Electricity
Authority dedicated their win to
team work.
With a project aiming to reduce energy
loss, Team Inspire ensured their captivating
presentation was worth the hard work.
“Team Inspire has been participating in
the NCQ in the past years with an aim to
win. For the past two years we’ve been
coming and returning with a medal. It is
our aim to be the first team to take the gold
to Labasa and we will return prepared next
year,” said Mr Shameel.
Despite winning the bronze medal, the
team still believes they are winners in their
own right as the project has taught great
life lessons.
“Preparing for the NCQ had taught the
team to work together as a team and I
thank all the members sincerely for their
support. In fact, one of our team members
flew in from Labasa this morning just to
be present for the presentation and had
to go back by plane for work commitment
back. The team members were equally
supportive and hardworking.”
T
eam
Sub-Havahava
boosted their confidence for the QC
of
National Training
&
project next year.
Productivity Centre (NTPC)
“The members were overwhelmed
represented
the
Fiji
National
to be part of the 21st National
University (FNU) to the National
Convention on Quality. We presented
Convention on Quality (NCQ) in the
in the non-competitive category which
Non-Competitive category.
is still a moment to be cherished as
In this category, any team can take
we got to feel what is expected at
part for the purpose of sharing their
National level.
experiences and their Quality Circle
“It was a very proud moment for
(QC) project. Every year the gold
the team to present on the National
winner of FNU Internal Quality Circle
level especially in the presence
Competition (IQCC) is given the
of the University Vice Chancellor
opportunity to present their Quality
Professor Nigel Healey. It gave us an
Circle project.
opportunity to share what QC teams
Team Sub-Havahava, made up of presented their Greenhouse Project which internally can do to contribute positively
staff volunteers from the Department of is assisting them in saving money.
towards the university,” she said.
Ms Sheileshni Nair, a team member
Executive Management, Hospitality &
Ms Nair said the team is looking forward
Tourism Studies, NTPC Namaka campus, of Sub-Havahava, said the opportunity to retain the Gold title next year.
Vacancies
For job vacancies and career opportunities at Fiji National University, go to http://waf.fnu.ac.fj/eoi/ New posts are logged each week for
academic and non-academic vacancies, so check regularly for the opportunity that could lead you to a new life. Some of the positions
currently available online:
• Audit Assistant
• Operations Supervisor
• Senior Academic Officer
• Quality Officer
• Quality Service Officer
• Management Trainer
• Assistant Webmaster
• MIS Programmer & Support
• Tutor in Geography
The FNU newsletter is prepared by University Communications. Send your articles to [email protected]