On September 13, 2024, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) held the closing ceremony of the Modern and Effective National Governance Programme for Emerging Leaders (MENGPEL). The program was organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) in collaboration with NAPA and the Chandler Institute of Governance (CGI) from Singapore.
The closing ceremony featured the participation of Mr. Kenneth Sim, Managing Director (Strategy and Research) of CIG; Mr. Jean-Francois Verdier, General Inspector of Finance and former Director-General of Administration and the Civil Service (DGAFP) of the French Republic; and Ms. Wee Teng Ong, Program Manager of the cooperation program between NAPA and CIG.
Representing NAPA and NAPA HCMC were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, NAPA Vice President; Ms. Pham Thi Quynh Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation; Dr. Truong Cong Hoa, Acting Director of NAPA HCMC; Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong, Deputy Director of NAPA HCMC; along with leaders of NAPA units and departments. The event was attended by 24 participants from NAPA, Departments of Home Affairs, and leadership from People’s Committees of the provinces and cities of Kien Giang, Dong Thap, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City, Hung Yen, Vinh Long, and Thua Thien Hue.
MENGPEL took place from July 1, 2024, to September 13, 2024, in accordance with Decision No. 4106/QĐ-HCQG dated June 27, 2024, issued by the NAPA President. The program focused on enhancing the essential competencies of public service leaders and managers.
In the summary report of the Program, Ms. Pham Thi Quynh Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation, stated that after four segments—three held in Viet Nam and one in Singapore—through diligent and responsible study and research, the program was completed as planned, successfully achieving its objectives. All participants completed the program on schedule and were awarded certificates by the NAPA President.
Through the program, participants developed specific competencies as follows:
(1) Participants gained a clearer understanding of the context of modern and effective national governance, the digital transformation era, and the opportunities and challenges faced by leaders and managers. They also learned about the roles and competencies required of leaders to meet new demands.
(2) Participants developed a broad vision, enabling them to identify both internal and external organizational environments. They also gained insight into the dynamics of individuals and groups within organizations to make effective management decisions.
(3) Participants were equipped with skills to work effectively in a globalized and digitalized world, such as integration skills for working in international environments, digital transformation in government agencies, communication and crisis communication skills, and crisis management skills.
(4) Participants improved their ability to build and develop strong organizational and management systems, as well as enhance coordination between central and local levels in the new context.
(5) Participants honed their analytical thinking and systems thinking skills, applying these in policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. They also learned how to analyze and effectively address complex issues in the context of modern and effective national governance.
(6) Through practical research activities conducted both domestically and internationally, participants gained exposure to the practical experiences of advanced nations. This allowed them to compare and contrast with Viet Nam’s realities, drawing valuable lessons in management, administration, and problem-solving.
Ms. Pham Thi Quynh Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation, NAPA.
In his remarks, Mr. Kenneth Sim, Managing Director (Strategy and Research) of CIG, expressed his delight at the positive feedback from participants regarding the program. He noted that the program was well-suited to the practical context of Viet Nam, which allowed participants to immediately apply the knowledge gained to their work, achieving initial positive results and effectiveness.
He expressed his hope that both sides would engage in more frequent collaboration in the future, especially in training and capacity-building for public officials.
Mr. Kenneth Sim, Managing Director (Strategy and Research) of CIG.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ai Van, Chairwoman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province, on behalf of the participants, expressed her heartfelt thanks to the leaders of NAPA, NAPA HCMC, and CIG for their support and assistance. They provided the conditions for participants to study, conduct research, and hone their leadership and management skills in the context of modern and effective national governance. With four segments combining theoretical knowledge with practical experiences in Singapore and various localities in Viet Nam, the program provided participants with valuable information, methods, and knowledge in leadership and management. The participants, in their respective positions, are now able to apply what they have learned to policy planning, leadership, and management within their agencies and localities, as well as in teaching and training for those who are lecturers.
The program provided participants with in-depth knowledge and skills on modern and effective national governance, including:
(1) Participants enhanced their understanding of leadership roles in the public sector, skills for working in a globalized and digitalized environment, negotiation skills in an international context, and analytical and systems thinking skills.
(2) They were provided with information and methods for governance, leadership management, and developing superior, methodological, well-structured, and internationally standardized policies.
(3) Participants had the opportunity to experience and study practical models and achievements in both domestic and international economic governance.
At the same time, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ai Van expressed her desire for the NAPA President and CIG to continue directing the improvement of the program’s content and organize future programs for public leaders and managers at various levels. She also suggested organizing annual advanced training seminars for public officials to contribute positively to the training of emerging strategic leaders, preparing a long-term and high-quality workforce for the government at all levels and the nation.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ai Van, Chairwoman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province, representative of the participants.
In his remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, NAPA Vice President, congratulated all participants for successfully completing the program and affirmed that good governance is a key factor in the success of nations. To build a modern and effective national governance system in the context of a world entering the digital era, with many opportunities and intertwined challenges, along with unprecedented widespread impacts, it is essential to develop a leadership and management team capable of building and applying effective modern governance models, tailored to Viet Nam’s traditions and current context. To successfully achieve this important task, as the leading national institution for training public officials, NAPA focuses on developing high-quality training programs to enhance the capacity of public leaders and managers. The third run of MENGPEL in 2024 is a solid continuation of the long-term cooperation program in training emerging leaders between NAPA and CIG.
He also expressed his gratitude for the direction and support of the leadership at NAPA, including NAPA HCMC. He also extended his thanks to CIG for respecting and listening to the needs of its partners, collaborating closely with NAPA in developing the program, and providing international experts with professional expertise and practical experience to participate in the lecturing. He expressed hope that the cooperation between the two sides will continue to grow and that NAPA will receive further support from CIG in future training programs.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, NAPA Vice President.
Some photos at the closing ceremony
Leaders of NAPA and CIG awarding certificates to participants:
Certificate awarded (to be presented later) to Mr. Duong Tuan Kiet, Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People’s Committee of An Thi District, Hung Yen Province, as he had to leave early to oversee flood and storm prevention in An Thi District.
Delegates and MENGPEL participants.
