IBM Corp has unveiled a major new programme in the US intended to help universities to implement total quality management concepts in teaching, research and operations. The multi-million dollar programme will provide funding, equipment, technical support and partnerships to implement total quality management concepts in core courses in business, engineering, statistics and related areas; conduct research on successful such programmes and programme components already implemented; and implement total quality management concepts in the operations of the university itself. Chairman John Akers commented that the company is launching this competition among universities to encourage education, research and self-betterment in total quality management concepts – and it is no doubt no coincidence that Akers is this year’s chairman of National Quality Month, October 1991. The new IBM programme is open to all universities and colleges in the US and is intended to promote interdisciplinary research and education on quality and help them run themselves.
