The 49th International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC 2024) successfully concluded in Colombo, demonstrating the nation’s capability in hosting world-class quality management events. Organised by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity (SLAAQP), the Convention attracted over 3,000 participants from 14 countries, making it one of the largest quality management gatherings in Asia.

The event commenced on 10 November with a high-profile Business Forum at the Hilton Colombo, where Prof. Wan Seon Shin delivered an inspiring address on “Open Quality in the Era of Digital Transformation.” His presentation, which was highly appreciated by the gathering of business leaders, explored how Korea has embraced digital transformation in quality management. The forum was followed by an International Research Conference featuring scholarly presentations on quality and productivity enhancement strategies from both local and international researchers.

The official inauguration at the BMICH on November 11th was marked by an online address from Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who emphasised the nation’s commitment to strengthening its economy through quality excellence and international collaboration. Professor Shin delivered another compelling keynote presentation, elaborating on Korea’s remarkable journey in quality management evolution through the “Quality Slope” model and the MTCI (Measure-Trace-Connect-Integrate) maturity framework.

Two inspiring entrepreneurs shared their success stories during the inaugural session. The CEO of CodeGen showcased their groundbreaking developments in sustainable technology, including innovations in electric vehicle technology and smart farming systems. Their agricultural management system, Aigrow FMS, has achieved remarkable efficiency improvements, including 70% reduction in fertiliser costs and 80% reduction in water usage.

The CEO of English Tea Shop, Herath, presented his company’s journey since its establishment in 2010. His presentation highlighted how the company has successfully implemented open-book management and a Creating Shared Value (CSV) model, fostering transparency and trust among its 400 Sri Lankan employees and London-based commercial team. His commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable development has proven that quality-focused business models can drive both social impact and commercial success.

The Quality Control Circles competitions, held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel on November 12th and 13th, featured an innovative hybrid format. Of the 988 competing teams, 483 participated virtually while the remainder presented in person. The competition drew approximately 2,000 international participants from CCM (Coordinating Country Members) and 1,000 local participants from Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and service sectors. The judges awarded 965 gold awards and 23 silver awards, reflecting the exceptional quality of presentations across both virtual and physical platforms.

The Convention’s closing ceremony on 12 November featured spectacular cultural performances from all participating countries, celebrating the diversity of the quality management community. The ceremonial handover of the ICQCC flag to Taiwan, the next host country, marked a fitting conclusion to the main proceedings.

On November 14th, the programme concluded with organized factory visits for interested delegates, providing practical insights into Sri Lankan manufacturing excellence and quality management practices.

Throughout the event, the theme “Beyond Boundaries: A Quest for Quality, Productivity, and Innovation” resonated strongly, as participants shared experiences and best practices across national and cultural boundaries. The successful integration of virtual and physical participation demonstrated the convention’s adaptability to modern needs while maintaining its high standards. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from delegates confirmed ICQCC 2024 as a landmark event in the global quality management calendar, positioning Sri Lanka as an emerging cenre for quality management excellence in the region.

– Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe