Certified Quality Manager 27th Intake - Training and Development Module

The Certified Quality Manager (CQM) course is hosted by the Singapore Quality Institute (SQI) and Mr Johnson Ong Chee Bin is the appointed trainer for the Training and Development Module. The module for the 27th Intake was held on 28 June 2014 at SQI. The module covers the following topics:

• Introduction to Training and Development
• Training and Development Process
• National Models for Training and Development
• Factors affecting the Future of Training and Development

PDCA or ADRI Approach to Self-Assessment Report (SAR) Writing

PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) or ADRI (Approach-Deployment-Results-Improvement) is a systematic way to write a comprehensive self-assessment report. It ensures how requirements or criteria of a quality assurance system are addressed systematically based on a process approach.

Below is an illustration of how the PDCA or ADRI approach is applied to write a comprehensive SAR in meeting the AUN-QA criterion at programme level.

ASEAN-QAct Consultancy Visit at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)

ASEAN-QAct is an extension of the ASEAN-QA Project Phase 1 which was offered to all 21 universities that underwent the ASEAN-QA site assessments. A call for application was made to the universities and 6 universities including UUM was selected for a consultancy follow up visit. 

The consultancy visit was held at UUM from 17 to 19 June 2014. The consultancy team consisted of European experts, Dr Nadine and Ms Sylvi from University of Potsdam and ASEAN expert, Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, AUN-QA expert from Singapore. The focus of the consultancy was on the constructive alignment of learning outcomes, teaching & learning strategies and student assessments. More than 30 participants from the School of International Studies attended the workshop. 

One of the participants attended the workshop says "I have to tell you that I have been in many workshops and training about Learning Outcome but your presentation is the best, most structured, make sense, interesting and I have learned the most. Other faculty members said that they really benefitted from the consultancy too. Well done for the great job!"

PDCA Approach to Curriculum Design and Development

The process of curriculum design and development constitutes various interconnected elements in the PDCA cycle with the objective of achieving the intended purpose of the programme. 

Plan. This stage begins with an analysis of the stakeholders' needs of faculty, current and past students, employers and society in general. The stakeholders' needs are translated into human resource terminology i.e. graduate competencies which in turn translated into educational taxonomy i.e. learning outcomes. Based on the learning outcomes, curriculum is designed backward to meet them.

Do. The plan stage is implemented where curriculum is delivered and learning outcomes are assessed to gauge the achievement of them.

Check. This stage involves the analysis of assessment results and feedback from students and faculty. Areas for improvement are identified.

Act. When the learning outcomes are achieved, the curriculum, learning and teaching strategies and assessment methods are standardised. Best practices are shared and improvement is made for the next cycle of PDCA.

In the design process, it is important to align the learning outcomes with the curriculum, teaching & learning strategies, and student assessment as illustrated in the diagram below.

The Happiness DNA Public Workshop

Living Better collaborates with ASK Training Pte Ltd to run The Happiness DNA and The Workplace Happiness DNA workshops for public and corporations. The Happiness DNA course synopsis is listed below.

Course Synopsis: 

The study of what makes people happy repeatedly demonstrates that the route to happiness is not about the endless accumulation of wealth. Happiness is a natural pursuit of human beings and it can be learned.

The sources of happiness can be broadly classified into external and internal. External sources of happiness are short-lived and external to us. They include financial, career, health, social and environmental. Internal sources are permanent and they help to create an internal condition that is conducive to cultivate happiness in our genes.

Course Objective: 

After completing the workshop, participants will be able to understand the science and facts of happiness, cultivate the happiness DNA and apply the concept to rediscover, renew and sustain happiness.

By the end of the course, you would be able to:

• Understand the science and facts of happiness;
• Understand the eight dimensions of the Happiness DNA; and
• Apply the unique change methodology to rediscover, renew and sustain happiness.

Course Outline: 

• The Science and Facts of Happiness
• The 8 Dimensional of the Happiness DNA
• Financial
• Career
• Health
• Social
• Environmental
• Mental
• Emotional
• Spiritual

Course Duration: 2 days (16 hours), 9:00am - 5:00pm

Course Fee: $535.00 (Inc. GST) per participant

You may access the link below to find out more about the course schedule.

The Happiness DNA Training Schedule

Customer Service, Communication and Teamwork Excellence Workshop at Zhenghua Primary School

The Customer Service, Communication and Teamwork Excellence Workshop was customised for Zhenghua Primary School based on the Service DNA concept as illustrated below.

The workshop aims to equip the administrative and support staff of Zhenghua Primary School with the relevant skills to provide excellent customer service through effective teamwork and communication. The workshop was designed and facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, Chief Happiness Coach of Living Better. The learning outcomes of the workshop are:

• Appreciate the emerging experience economy
• Understand the service DNA;
• Understand the elements in delivering positive customer experience
• Cultivate a customer-centric culture through effective teamwork and communication; and
• Cultivate a customer-centric attitude