1. IAPQA - Cycle 2006 Defining the Best of the Best Sponsored by: Asia Pacific Quality Organization Administered by: The Walter L. Hurd Foundation Chaired by: The Mexican Institute for Quality Control Award Schedule Typical Countries that are considered part of the Asia Pacific Region Australia Bangladesh Burma Canada Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador Fiji Guatemala Honduras India Indonesia Iran Israel Japan Malaysia Mexico Mauritius Island Nepal New Guinea New Zealand Nicaragua North Korea Pakistan Panama Peru Philippines Russia Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Thailand United Arab Emirates USA Vietnam  Enroling additional National Quality Award Organizations to participate in the IAPQA process and becoming members of the IAPQA Council- Now until March 2006  Submission of applications for the award to the National Quality Award Organizations- March 30, 2006  Submission of applications directly by candidates or by the National Quality Award Organizations to the IAPQA Council -April 30,2006  Notification of award to winners-July 31, 2006.  Award presentations in Sydney, Australia in Oct. 18-20. 2006, where the 12thAPQOC and the 12 th APQO Core Council meeting will take place..  Reports will be destroyed after the evaluation and the presentation of the awards. For more information contact: Jose F. González Prado Chairman International Asia Pacific Quality Award Council Mexican Institute for Quality Control 396 Mariano Escobedo Av., 1 st floor Mexico City, 11590 Mexico Telephone: (52) 55 52501099 and 52547310 Fax: (52) 55 52547390 and 52541047 E-mail: and November 30, 2005

2. Introduction Eligibility Requirements Award Categories Evaluation Criteria The International Asia Pacific Quality Award (IAPQA) has been established by the Asia Pacific Quality Organization (APQO). Walt L. Hurd Foundation. APQO is a nonprofit organization that serves as an umbrella group that brings together all of the leading quality professional societies from countries that border on the Pacific Ocean or are considered Asian nations. The governing body of APQO includes representatives from Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam. The award is administered by a foundation established by APQO called “The Walter L. Hurd Foundation.” Management direction for the award is provided by the International Asia Pacific Quality Award Executive Committee. The following requirements must be met in order for an organization to apply for the 2005 IAPQA. The candidates for the award must already have won their National or Regional Quality Award within the last 3 years. (2003-2004-2005) The National Quality Award Organization must include in its evaluations of the candidates a site visit that verifies that the 2006 IAPQA application documents reflect the organization’s actual procedures, and the award process meets the international award standards as specified by the IAPQA Council. The National Quality Award Organization/s are invited to recommend candidates for the IAPQA- International Asia Pacific Quality Award. Small manufacturing organizations (e.g., organiza- tions with less than 250 employees) Small service organizations (e.g., organizations with less than 250 employees) Small and large Educational organizations Small and large Health care organizations Large service and manufacturing organizations Note: The second and last categories include government organizations. Winner. Maximum points in every category. Best of Class Distinction: Given to the organization having the second best points score above the 600 point minimum mark. World Class Distinction: Given to the third best in every category. Trained Malcolm Baldrige Award assessors, using the criteria set by the Malcolm Baldrige Award to judge organizations in the United States, are utilized to evaluate the candidates. Point scores are given in each of the following seven elements: Leadership 120 points Strategic Planning 85 points Customer and Market Focus 85 points Measurement, Analysis and Knowledge Management 90 points Human Resource Focus 85 points Process Management 85 points Business Results 450 points max Total Maximum Points1,000 points Applicants may submit their application form along the application report with responses addressing all Criteria Items according to the MBA requirements as indicated in the web : www.quality.nist.gov/ PDF_files/2005_Award_Application_Forms.pdf Also the feedback report of the Award organization has to be enclosed. Award Executive Committee members: Dr. James HARRINGTON, Honorary Chairman Mr. Charles AUBREY, APQO President Eng. Jose Fco. GONZÁLEZ-PRADO, Chairman. Vicepresidents: Mr.Mario S Pennisi, Australian Org. for Quality Mrs. Tang Xiofen, Shanghai Ass. for Quality Dr. Geeta Bharadwaj, IMC Quality Cell –India Dato A. Aziz Mat, Institute of Quality Malaysia Dr. Miflora GATCHALIAN – The Philippines Dr. Gilberto CONCEPCIÓN, Dominicana Rep.