Standards have become an important subject among the members of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) to better integrate the subject of standardization in the educational curricula. This approach aims to develop a culture of recognizing the benefits of standards to different sectors of society. ISO has developed in excess of 19,500 standards from food to management to IT and much more. The experts in Standardisation are of the view that if standards are taught at the university level, it will equip graduates with the tools necessary to promote the use and implementation of standards in businesses. This will enhance the competitiveness of businesses by facilitating access to lucrative markets.
ISO is organizing a series of regional events aiming at supporting developing countries in defining programmes targeting universities and at developing or strengthening courses on education about standardization in their countries. The final outcome of this process will be an ISO publication highlighting guidelines and good practices for introducing/supporting educational programmes on standardization in universities.
Recently, the GNBS participated in a Regional workshop under the theme ‘Enhancing collaboration between NSBs and Academia’ sponsored by ISO in Brazil which focused on the sharing of experiences as it relates to the implementation of the subject of standardization in the educational curricula. Countries like Korea, Brazil and Argentina have successfully integrated standards in the curricula at the University level and Korea from the Nursery level.
If standards are implemented in academia, the following benefits will be realized.
1. At the nursery and primary levels:
a. the child will know that standards exist for basic things they play with or use on a daily basis.
For example there are standards for toys, traffic lights, television, shoes, clothes, safety signs, etc.
b. the child will know what happens if there are no standards
2. At the secondary and university levels:
a. the graduate will be familiar with the management system standards applicable for managing different types
of businesses
b. the graduate will be familiar with the benefits of implementing standards
c. The graduate will be familiar with standards available for different products.
3. The role of standards in everyday life will be better recognized facilitating better conformance to standards by
businesses.
4. The functions of the National Standards Body and other sources of standards will also be known.
Integrating of standards in the educational curricula will also increase the demand for quality goods and services, compliance to regulations and reduced customer complaints.
For further information, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0062, 219-0065 or 219-0069.
