The Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority or BQPCA has received an international quality management certification. The authority was awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification by the Total Quality Certification Services International, based in Australia. It is expected to strengthen transparency and credibility in the country’s regulatory qualification and professional system.
ISO 9001 is a globally recognised standard for quality management systems.
The certification was awarded in February this year after the Total Quality Certification Services International conducted independent audits.
The ISO certification provides a framework for organisations to ensure their products and services consistently meet customer requirements while continuously improving their overall performance.
Tandin Dorji, an analyst from BQPCA said, ‘‘We will be known for the credibility of the organisation. We have achieved certain international benchmarks, and that will build trust and confidence in our clients that BQPCA is now a credible organisation. Now, when it comes to benefits, it goes through and through. The first thing is the BQPCA itself. With the officers here, the staff here, all employees are kind of quality aware. They know what is ISO, they know what quality is, and they know what quality management system is and they will maintain the quality performance in the future.’’
It took almost a year for BQPCA to get certified by the Total Quality Certification Services International.
The certification covers key regulatory functions, including professional registration for medical, health, and engineering professionals, accreditation of higher education council, and programme accreditation for technical and vocational education and training.
Officials say the certification will help strengthen confidence in Bhutan’s qualifications and professional systems both nationally and internationally.
Tandin Dorji added that ‘‘Once BQPCA is certified ISO, it means that BQPCA will be included in the list of ISO certified by that particular company. So we are certified by TQCSI, which is based in Australia. And TQCSI has about 40 countries certified. Bhutan BQPCA will be included in the list of the the agencies certified by TQCSI. So that means that we should feel that we are now certified, and the appearance of Bhutan in the list of ISO certified will be there.’’
Following the certification, the authority will focus on staff capacity building and awareness training, while ensuring compliance with ISO standards through regular internal and external audits.
BQPCA is the national regulator responsible for qualification accreditation and professional certification in the country.
Sonam Yuden
