Professor Brings Deming Institute to SUU

Published: July 09, 2017 | Author: Abigail Wyatt | Read Time: 2 minutes

Picture of Dr. Ravi Roy

Southern Utah University continues to implement experiential and innovative research-based teaching and learning initiatives in the classroom. Understanding the value and impact of the Deming System of Profound Knowledge, Dr. Ravi Roy, assistant professor of political science at SUU, has established a partnership with the W. Edwards Deming Institute.

Through the partnership, Roy has created the W. Edwards Deming Incubator for Public Affairs (WEDIPA) at Southern Utah University.  WEDIPA is an incubator for innovative initiatives and partnerships employing Deming's Systems Approach. WEDIPA engages students in research-based learning, incorporates Deming practices in the classroom, and teaches the application of those practices in public, private and nonprofit sectors.

“Deming’s philosophies are highly respected ideologies in business,” explained Roy. “This partnership helps SUU students stand out in the workforce with elevated knowledge of his approaches and provides learning opportunities unavailable at other institutions.”

Roy has been involved with the Deming Institute for nearly five years. When he started at SUU three years ago, Roy formalized the relationship between the two organizations. Roy assumed the inaugural Deming Fellow position and wrote the charter for WEDIPA, which was approved and adopted by the Utah State Board of Regents in early 2017.

“Building upon my long time involvement with the Deming Institute, I initiated the idea for a new Incubator that could serve as an experimental laboratory for new ideas and partnerships around the Deming philosophy,” said Roy.

Dr. Ravi Roy leading a discussionThe Deming philosophy focuses on transforming employer and employee thinking patterns to improve work quality, increase employee independence and implement improvement and education. Companies that adopt Deming’s ideas, such as Toyota and Sony, see significant improvement in sales, efficiency and employee satisfaction.

The Deming Institute is also working through WEDIPA to offer graduate level course-based certifications at SUU in Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge. This certificate program will be open to the public and offered through the University’s School of Integrative and Engaged Learning.

Another experimental project is a WEDIPA partnership with The Bryce Canyon Natural History Association and public managers in the Bureau of Land Management to establish The W. Edwards Deming Bryce Canyon Society. The society is devoted to promoting the application of Deming's systems approach in the sustainable management of state and national public lands. 

Successful experimental projects and partnerships that are initiated through WEDIPA will officially be adopted by the Deming Institute as it expands its network connections within the academic and professional communities.


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