BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

QUALITY Management Systems (QMS) ISO 9001:2008 will be implemented at the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD), Ministry of Communications, following the signing of a contract between the department and consultancy firm Peplow-Warren Management Company yesterday.

The collaboration between both parties aim at implementing standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) into the core activities and functions of the BDMD.

“These standards require all meteorological services to implement an audited QMS in accordance with the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standard,” said the BDMD in a statement.

Than Tun, consultant at Peplow-Warren, spoke of the nine-year-old Brunei-based firm’s role in the project to The Brunei Times.

“Our focus is to enhance the quality of management services to clients (or department),” he explained, adding that while the firm specialises in providing consultancy on a number of issues, it is focusing on data processing for the meteorological department.

The department will have to satisfy a set requirements to qualify for certification.

These include awareness-training on QMS, preparation of Quality Manuals and Work Procedure Manuals (MPK), QMS implementation and audit certification.

By complying with international standards, the department looks forward to improving the quality of National Meteorological Services for aviation and the general public.

It also hopes to “increase the sense of responsibility, accountability and quality consciousness amongst BDMD staff”.

Signing on behalf of BDMD yesterday was Acting Director of Meteorology Dr Hj Sidup Hj Sirabaha with Deputy Director Rokiah Hj Angas as witness.

Peplow-Warren Management Company was represented by consultant Than Tun and witnessed by proprietor Ambrose Shim Fui Sen.

The Brunei Times