Meeting of Heads of the ASEAN Network of Public Service Training Institutes (PSTI) at NAPA Viet Nam

On the morning of July 6, 2023, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) held the “Meeting of Heads of the ASEAN Network of Public Service Training Institutes (PSTI)”. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien represented NAPA at the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Heads of PSTIs and international organizations as well as their accompanying officers: Dr. Noor Maya Salleh – Director and Ms. Pg Sarifah Ferzat Pg Jaafar – Training Officer from the Institut Perkhidmatan Awam, Prime Minister’s Office, Brunei Darussalam; Mr. Sung Vinntik – Vice President and Mr. Thun Bunthoeun – Director of the Department of Research and IR from the Royal School of Administration, Cambodia; Dr. Chantha Onxayvieng – Director General and Mr. Amphon Viphongxay – Technical Officers from the Public Administration Research and Training Institute (PARTI), Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) of Laos; Dr. Roslan bin Mahmood, Deputy Director (Programme and Potential Assessment) and Mr. Amien Arief bin Jamaluddin, Senior Training Consultant of the Economics and Public Finance Studies Centre, National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), Malaysia; Dr. Khin Mar Myo – Pro-rector, Civil Service Academy (Upper Myanmar) and Dr. Nant Khin Thin Su – Pro-rector, Civil Service Academy (Lower Myanmar) from the Union Civil Service Board, Myanmar; Ms. Victoria F. Esber – Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Philippine Civil Service Commission and Mr. Fernando M. Porio – Director IV, Civil Service Institute (CSI), the Philippines; Ms. Ong Toon Hui – Dean & CEO and Ms. Angela Tan – Manager of Southeast Asia Desk (CSC International) from the Civil Service College, Singapore; Mr. Kenneth Sim – Dean, Chandler Academy of Governance (CAG), Deputy Executive Director of Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) and Mr. Glendon Phua – Manager of Curriculum from CIG; Dr. Alex Brillantes Jr. – Secretary-General, Ms. Ainna Shariz Comia – Senior Researcher / Office Manager, and Ms. Katherine Edem – Senior Administrative Specialist from the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA).

On behalf of NAPA, Viet Nam, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien extended greetings to the delegates attending the Meeting of Heads of the ASEAN Network of Public Service Training Institutes (PSTI) in 2023. He affirmed that since its establishment in 2018, the ASEAN PSTI Network has played a significant role in promoting cooperation and exchange among the PSTIs and enhancing their roles in supporting the transformation of their respective public services.

The theme of the Meeting of Heads of the ASEAN Network of PSTIs in 2023 is “Capacity building for public leaders in the context of globalization and digitalization”. In addition to agreeing on the PSTI Work plan for 2023 – 2024, the following issues were discussed at the meeting: opportunities, challenges, and requirements for public leaders and managers; methods of public leaders training in the context of globalization and digitalization to promote sustainable socio-economic development.

Furthermore, during the working session, all parties discussed the innovation of content and methods of training public leaders in the context of globalization and digitalization (in a more systematic way and over their careers); the initiative to organize an ASEAN Annual Forum on Good Governance for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development, and promote collaboration between scholars and public leaders, as well as international organizations in the region, to analyze and address common issues. The meeting also focused on organizing capacity building activities to increase the capacity of trainers in the field of public administration to implement sustainable development goals and adapting and incorporating such goals into the training curriculum of PSTIs in the ASEAN countries.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien hoped for a successful and productive meeting, creating more favorable conditions for the implementation of the common action goals and addressing shared concerns, aiming to build capacity for a professional, accountable, dynamic, transparent, and effective public service.

 Mr. Sung Vinntik, Vice President, Royal School of Administration, Cambodia, speaking at the meeting

Following the opening remarks, representatives of international delegations presented their welcome speeches at the meeting, as well as provided valuable contributions to the upcoming program activities.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation, NAPA, introduced PSTI Work Plan scheduled for the 2023 – 2024 term and provided the implementation plan for specific activities:

1. Workshop on “Enhancing the leadership capacity in the context of globalization and digitalization” and Study visit to Quang Ninh province – 06 – 07 July, 2023
2. Capacity building for trainers and leaders in November – December 2023
3. Organization of the ASEAN Annual Forum on Good Governance for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in May 2024

NAPA shall make every effort and collaborate with PSTI network members and international organizations in the region to successfully and effectively implement these activities, which aim to build the ASEAN PSTI Network as a model for cooperation and knowledge sharing, promoting practical learning and development for public leaders and managers. This contributes to the goal of building ASEAN – Unity in diversity community, cohesiveness, inclusiveness, and cooperation, thereby advancing regional integration to new heights for peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity.

Delegates of the meeting

At the end of the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien expressed his sincere thanks to the ASEAN Secretariat, Heads of the ASEAN PSTI Network, presenters, and delegates from CIG and EROPA for taking the time to attend this meeting and share their valuable insights and good practices in capacity building for public leaders in the context of globalization and digitalization. Special thanks were extended to the leaders of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Viet Nam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassies of ASEAN countries, and the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province for their support and facilitation of this important event. The organizers, interpreters, and volunteers who contributed to the organization and successful implementation of this meaningful event were also deeply appreciated. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien also conveyed his best wishes for the health, happiness, and success of all the delegates and esteemed guests and extended his wishes for their joyful and pleasant stay in Viet Nam.

On the same day, delegates of the Meeting of Heads of ASEAN PSTI Network paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Vu Chien Thang, Vice Minister of Home Affairs, Viet Nam. Leaders from units under MoHA also attended.

At the courtesy meeting, on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Vice Minister Vu Chien Thang expressed sincere gratitude to the PSTI Heads within the ASEAN Network, as well as to the international delegates for taking the time to visit MoHA. The Vice Minister further extended warm greetings and well wishes from H.E. Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Minister of Home Affairs, to all members of the delegation. He wishes all delegates a joyous and happy time during their stay in Viet Nam.

The Vice Minister highly values the agenda of the Meeting of Heads of the ASEAN PSTI Network, particularly the introduction of the PSTI Work Plan scheduled for the 2023 – 2024 term and the workshop on “Enhancing the leadership capacity in the context of globalization and digitalization” (in collaboration with CIG and EROPA).

According to the Vice Minister, “Through the discussions on the ASEAN Annual Forum on Good Governance for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development, we recognize the significant initiative of the ASEAN PSTI Network during the convenorship of NAPA. This initiative provides an opportunity for public managers, local leaders, and scholars in the ASEAN region to exchange, analyze, and address common issues in the region. During my recent business trip to Singapore at the end of May, I also took the opportunity to discuss this idea with the leader of the Temasek Foundation Singapore, and I received very positive and practical support from the Temasek Foundation for the ASEAN Annual Forum. In my role as the Vice Minister in charge of international cooperation at MoHA, I will continue to support NAPA in fulfilling its role as the PSTI Convenor for the 2023 – 2024 term. I will also continue to collaborate with the Temasek Foundation, CIG, EROPA, and other international organizations in the region to finalize the plan and successfully organize this Forum in the second quarter of 2024.”

Heads of the ASEAN PSTI Network speaking at the meeting :

At the meeting, representatives from PSTIs of the ASEAN PSTI Network expressed their aspirations for this cooperation program and expressed gratitude to MoHA leaders for their continuous attention and support to the program.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Vice Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang expressed his desire to continue receiving cooperation from the PSTIs within the ASEAN PSTI Network as well as international organizations in the region to promote capacity development activities for public leaders and managers. He emphasized the active role of the public service in advancing comprehensive reform programs in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, and in alignment with the principles of building an enabling, integrity-driven, decisive, and people-centered government.