On 27 February 2017, ASU signed a Contract for Certification Services with RICI (Resource Inspections Canada Incorporated) to help install the ISO 9001:2015 quality system at the University’s administration. This is yet another step by ASU to ensure the quality of its operations and services not only at the academic level but also on the administrative front. Indeed, the certification efforts will include the following departments: Finance Department, HR Department, Administrative Affairs Department, Procurement and Logistics Services Department, ICT & KM Directorate, Deanship of Admissions & Registration, Quality Assurance and Accreditation Centre, Marketing and Public Affairs Directorate, Deanship of Student Affairs, Training and Continuing Education Centre, and the Community Engagement Office.

On the same day, a representative of the company, Mr. Rizwan Ahmad, was accompanied by Mr. Hatem Dammak to take the tour of the University and visit some of the departments that will be subject to the certification. He had a chance to talk to a number of our administrative staff to learn more about the procedures of each department. At the end of the visit, Mr. Hatem Dammak shared with him the administrative policies and procedures so that the company can review them and ensure their alignment with the ISO 9001:2015 standards. Next steps will include other visits to our premises and delivery of training sessions to key staff from the concerned departments.

Headquartered in Canada since 2004, RICI (Resource Inspections Canada Incorporated) is a leading company in certification services with branches in Bahrain, KSA and Pakistan. It helped other Bahraini Universities get the same certification. Mr. Hatem Dammak, acting Head of Internal Audit Unit was appointed to lead on this certification project.