Quality management of laboratory support services in tertiary institutions Available to Purchase

Tertiary education institutions (TEIs) are constituting TQM to aim for quality teaching, learning and research work. In the laboratories, practical learning and research are carried out, and they have to be backed up by quality support services. The Laboratory Centre of the Faculty of Science & Technology, City University of Hong Kong (FLC) is the support services provider for the Faculty laboratories. As a pilot, two support services: maintenance of the network of fume cupboards and equipment calibration were selected to apply for the ISO 9002 certification. In April 1997 the Certificate was awarded. This paper discusses the importance and shows the feasibility of implementing quality management system to laboratory support services in TEIs. The differences with similar certification in the private and public sectors are compared, and the benefits derived are outlined.