Tribune News Network
Doha
Marking a new achievement, Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) announced that it has received the prestigious five-star recognition for overall organisational excellence from the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).
Dr. Abdulla Bin Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie, managing director & CEO of Qatar Rail, received the five-star recognition certificate from Russell Longmuir, the CEO of EFQM, during an event held at the La Cigale Hotel, attended by senior management and staff. The ceremony also included acknowledging the Qatar Rail team members who played a significant role in achieving this milestone.
This exceptional distinction on Qatar Rail’s first assessment, stands as a testament to the tireless efforts of dedicated leadership and the team at Qatar Rail.
It’s worth noting that since its inception over 35 years ago, EFQM has assessed more than 50,000 organisations, with only 1% receiving the prestigious five-star recognition. This marks a remarkable achievement for Qatar Rail on both regional and global level.
Additionally, this milestone solidifies Qatar Rail’s dedication to excellence to its customers, stakeholders and in every facet of its operations.
Dr. Abdulla Bin Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie, managing director & CEO of Qatar Rail, stated, “We are very pleased and proud to receive a five-star recognition from EFQM. Operational excellence has been the cornerstone of our strategy since our inception, serving as a driving force throughout our journey. It has been paramount in each of our major achievements, from program delivery to the successful launch of Doha Metro operations and the seamless FIFA World Cup experience. The EFQM model, built on the pillars of direction, execution, and results, provides a robust and independent framework for evaluating organizational effectiveness in delivering its vision and strategy. Reaching the exceptional five-star level underscores Qatar Rail’s rigorous and systematic approach to business, with our work values seamlessly woven into the fabric of our daily operations.”
Russell Longmuir, the CEO of EFQM, said at the award ceremony: “I am pleased to be here at this event to witness the honouring of Qatar Rail Company for this outstanding achievement. At the European Foundation for Quality Management, we have assessed more than 50,000 companies over more than 35 years, but less than 1% have been able to achieve the five-star level. Through our reviews and comprehensive evaluation, we have observed the tremendous efforts exerted by the company and its diligent work with all its partners and stakeholders.”
In turn, Eng. Abdulrahman Al Malik, senior QSHESE director at Qatar Rail, said, “We take pride in this accomplishment, a result of the committed efforts put forth by the Qatar Rail team. This milestone signifies years of dedicated work in the pursuit of excellence. The attainment of a 5-star recognition affirms the effectiveness of Qatar Rail’s current strategies and direction, validating their alignment with the organisation’s vision and goals. This success instils confidence and acts as a source of motivation for both leadership and employees, encouraging them to persist in their ambitions and future plans.”
The EFQM Model is a globally recognised management framework that supports organisations in managing change and improving performance. EFQM has helped 50,000 organisations globally perform better, recognising exceptional performance across 7 different levels via an independent assessment process. Qatar Rail’s recognition as a five-star organisation is testament to its embrace of operational excellence and drive towards continuous improvement from inception until now.
Qatar Rail’s journey has been marked by notable achievements, including the successful delivery on time and below budget of the Doha Metro network, setting benchmarks across the board in sustainability, safety, delivery schedule and cost-efficiency. Qatar Rail was an integral part of the FIFA World Cup 2022, successfully transporting over 18 million passengers across 8 stadiums during the tournament. Qatar Rail recorded more than 150 million trips since the launch of its service in 2019.
In addition of the EFQM award, Qatar Rail has also received several prestigious quality awards and recognitions, showcasing its commitment to excellence. Recognitions include the ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 Initial Certification in February 2015, the EFQM Committed to Excellence (2 Star) in November 2017, and ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 Re-Certification in February 2018. The organisation further solidified its commitment with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 Re-Certification in February 2021, culminating in the prestigious EFQM 5-Star Recognition in December 2023.
