JERUDONG, Thursday 11 December 2014 – The 11th Executive Development Programme (EDP) on Public Policy and Management for senior government officials conducted by the Ministry of Defence concluded today in a closing ceremony held at the Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club, Jerudong.
The guest of honour at the event was Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat.
The ceremony started with remarks made by Mr Donald Low, the Associate Dean of Research & Executive Education from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, as well as a representative from the participants of the 11th EDP, Lt Col Tarip bin Haji Karia.
This year, 21 participants joined the EDP, comprising senior officials from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Royal Brunei Police Force, Prime Minister’s Office, Attorney General’s Chambers, Ministry of Finance, as well as the Ministry of Health. In addition, MINDEF also sponsored senior military officers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. The diversity of different backgrounds and countries is an important component to further enrich their learning experience.
Initiated in 2004, the programme this year was developed and conducted in collaboration with the renowned Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore in Singapore. The 3-month Programme hopes to better equip senior executives with the necessary knowledge and skills to be innovative in understanding policy challenges.
During the programme, the participants had the opportunity to go for a one-week study trip to Australia in which they were exposed to policy approaches and management practices from several key ministries and agencies. Participants also visited various government agencies in Brunei Darussalam to better familiarise themselves with policy making approaches practiced in the country.
Others present at the ceremony were the members of the Defence Executive Committee, Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force, High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Permanent Secretaries, Defence Advisers/Attaches and other senior officers from the MINDEF/RBAF and government ministries.
