On the 5th February 2010 the South African Society of Quality (SASQ) hosted a conference on laboratory accreditation. I would like to applaud this organisation for its initiative to give quality practitioners an opportunity to showcase their research, share their experiences regarding quality standards /management systems in laboratories. The conference presented research on standards predominantly from the blood industry, experiences of consultants and academics.

It is sad that such an opportunity was not supported adequately by the food and beverage, petrochemical, motor and other types of organisations (especially from Gauteng).

As quality practitioners, we should embrace every opportunity offered to engage in dialogue to uplift the quality fraternity in this country. Quality management is not stagnant and this type of engagement is essential to ensure that the quality tools adopted by organisations are appropriate, effective and provide continuous improvement.

I urge all quality practitioners to take advantage of these opportunities to keep the quality discipline  alive in South Africa.

Dr. Shalini Singh
Durban University of Technology