On March 24, 2022, within the framework of the ASEAN Network of Public Service Training Institutes (PSTI) annual activities, PSTI held an online workshop on developing human resource development (HRD) baselines for the PSTI Network. This is an initiative proposed in the Roundtable for Heads of ASEAN PSTI in September 2021.
Workshop participants from the PSTI Network.
Participating in the workshop were 20 senior and mid-level leaders and managers from 10 PSTI’s member countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. From the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), there were Dr. Nguyen Dang Que, NAPA Executive Vice President, and representatives of the International Cooperation Department.
Ms. Orawan Kongthanakhantithorn, Director, Civil Service Training Institute (CSTI), Thailand, chairing the workshop.
The workshop was organized to exchange plans to develop HRD baselines for PSTI member countries. This is proposed new baselines for PSTI members’ HRD practices, including the following main components:
(1) Data Analytics is to be evidently introduced in PSTI members’ HRD practices;
(2) PSTI members are to offer online courses that can be shared among other members at no cost;
(3) Outcome evaluation programs are to be standardized and applied;
(4) Training need assessment that responds to demographic changes is to be established.
The delegates discussed and expressed strong support for the idea of developing common HRD baselines for the PSTI Network. This is an effective tool in developing cooperative relationships among institutions in the region. However, according to the delegates, in order for the baselines to be effectively implemented, it is necessary to clearly identify the goals and values of the baselines. According to the delegates, building a database consists of two main areas: sharing and standardization. While data sharing is a fairly simple issue and is well received by many delegates, standardizing the outcome evaluation is considered more challenging due to the specifics of each country’s government and the public service system, language barriers, and specific legal regulations of each country. Some delegates from Singapore, Myanmar, and Thailand also shared their experiences in developing HRD baselines in their countries.
Dr. Nguyen Dang Que, NAPA Executive Vice President, speaking at the workshop.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Nguyen Dang Que highly appreciated the initiative of PSTI in developing the baselines and agreed with the 4 proposed baselines components. He commented that developing HRD baselines for practical activities is relevant to the international context. He suggested that the development of HRD baselines should be implemented according to a clear strategy and roadmap; it is necessary to build a task force on database development and analysis with representatives from PSTI member countries; the language barrier could be solved by providing subtitles in the courses, etc.
At the end of the workshop, the Organizing Committee expressed their gratitude for the valuable comments of the delegates and noted that they would summarize the delegates’ opinions and prepare a plan for the HRD baselines development for the PSTI Network.
Some photos at the workshop:
Mr. Ronarong Suparasamee, HR Officer, Office of the Civil Service Commission, Thailand, co-chairing the workshop.
Mr. Chinnapan Roekchamnong, HR Expert, Office of the Civil Service Commission, Thailand, co-chairing the workshop.
Representative from Civil Service Institute (IPA), Brunei Darussalam, speaking at the workshop.
Delegate from Thailand speaking at the workshop.
Representative from Royal School of Administration (RSA), Cambodia, speaking at the workshop.
Representative from Myanmar speaking at the workshop.
Mr. Roger Tan, Civil Service College (CSC), Singapore, speaking at the workshop.
Mr. Roger Tan, Civil Service College (CSC), Singapore, speaking at the workshop.
Representative from the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), Malaysia, speaking at the workshop.
Delegate from Indonesia speaking at the workshop.
Quynh Hoa – Hong Anh
