The National Institute for Quality and Reliability (NIQR) conducted its 16th Global Quality Convention in Chennai on August 10 and 11. The event which highlighted the theme ‘Digital Quality for Disruptive Future’, focused on enabling the participating companies and delegates to understand the rapidly changing technological work environment and prepare themselves for Smart Businesses with the advent of Industry 4.0 revolution.
The convention was inaugurated by Mr. K. Pandiarajan, the State Minister for Tamil Official Language, Tamil Culture and Archaeology, in the presence of Mr. K. Manikandan, the Convention Chairman, and Mr. Pradeep Kumar Aggarwal, National President of NIQR. Mr. Bhaskar Bhat, Managing Director, Titan Industries, was honoured as the chief guest for the inauguration.
In his address, Mr. Pandiarajan said that disruptions are part of development and that innovations and technologies could promote better changes.
“In such disruptive situations, enterprises should try to comprehend how it would affect their business and should come up with adequate responses”, said Mr. Pandiarajan. He also stated that it was the importance attached to quality by the Japanese that made them emerge as a manufacturing leader, even after the adverse effects of World War II.
“Organisations focusing on quality such as NIQR must evolve as self-regulatory statutory bodies to help any manufacturing or service organisations to focus on quality”, he added.
Mr. Pandiarajan made it clear that the State Government is always open to innovations to encourage development of industries. “The State Government has come up with several measures, including providing funds close to Rs. 5 crores to support enterprising individuals without the demand for collaterals”, he added.
Mr. Bhaskar Bhat, in his address, observed that companies should try to promote and develop quality in every model of business, in order be at par with the changing technological scenario.
Mr. Pandiarajan also inaugurated the exhibition organized on the occasion, interacted with different companies and learnt about their products that were on display.
After the inauguration, the convention witnessed intellectual sessions that included seminars and panel discussions. Dr. Vinod Surana, CEO and Managing Partner of Surana and Surana International Attorneys, Chennai, moderated a session titled ‘Transforming Indian Business – The Challenges and Opportunities.’
At the session, Mr. Anand Sundaresan, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Schwing Stetter India, elucidated the importance of having more women in the workforce. He also suggested that more youth must be deployed in various sections of the company in order the improve the business.
Mr. B.C. Datta, Vice President, Hyundai Motor India, presented a very optimistic picture about how his company constantly indulges in innovation to remain in par with the ever-changing government policies on emission. He also spoke about the importance of upgrading products and machinery without any job losses, possible only by investing in cutting-edge technologies.
Mr. Kaushik Madhavan, Director – Auto & Transportation, Frost and Sullivan, and Mr. Josh Foulger, Country Head and MD, Foxconn International Holding, India, moderated the ‘Future of Mobility’ and the ‘Smart Manufacturing’ sessions respectively.
Key issues such as preparing business processes for the ensuing disruptions, meeting leadership challenges and exploring opportunities for global growth came up for discussion.
By the end of the convention, NIQR had reached close to about 11,500 minds, solely on Industry 4.0 through 41 programs in the past one year.
NIQR Awards
The convention concluded with the award presentation ceremony at the end of the second day. Mr. C.R. Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, honoured the event as the Chief Guest and presented the awards.
The NIQR – Ashok Leyland Award for Outstanding Organisation was presented to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) which was represented by Mr. Suresh Raman, Vice President and Head of Operations, Chennai, along with Mr. K. Subramanian, Head of Delivery Excellence.
Siruthuli, a non-profit organisation working towards environmentally helping Coimbatore, won the NIQR – Lucas-TVS Award for Outstanding Service Organisation. Mrs. Vanitha Mohan, Managing Trustee, Siruthuli, received the Award.
The prestigious NIQR – India Pistons Award for Life Time Achievement was presented to Dr. Munirathna Anandakrishnan, Former Chairman of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and the former Vice Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai.
The NIQR – Schwing Stetter Award for Outstanding MSME was presented to Praveen Engineering Industries.
They are metal fabricators in Hosur, represented by its Managing Director, Mr. V. Praveen Chari.
Finally, Lakshmi Narashiman and Ravi Manish from the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, received the NIQR Award for Best Student(s).