JERUDONG, Wednesday 19 December 2012 – The 9th Executive Development Programme (EDP) in Public Policy and Management conducted by the Ministry of Defence concluded today in a closing ceremony held at the Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club, Jerudong.
In his address, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa Haji Sirat, who was the Guest of Honour, highlighted the importance of continuous learning in an environment where change is happening at a breathtaking rate and is becoming the norm of the current security and strategic environment. As such, policymakers need to continuously seek new knowledge and experiences needed to adapt to meet the challenges and avoid being left behind.
He also mentioned that governments carry huge responsibility to the public and nation as the people that the government serves have different expectations compared to years ago. These changes in expectations add on pressure to the government. The inability to cope with all these would be detrimental to one’s government. He added that policy analysis is not a perfect science which requires not only methodological and innovative approach; but also calls for a multi-disciplinary approach. This will ensure organization is able to adapt to changes. This is essential as approaches and processes that work in the past may no longer be suitable, relevant and as efficient in the present time.
Speeches were also made by Professor John Gearson, the Programme Director of the 9th EDP who is also the Director of the Centre for Defence Studies, from the King’s Professional and Executive Education, King’s College London, as well as a representative from the participants of the 9th EDP.
This year, 28 participants joined the EDP comprising of senior officials from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and officials from the Royal Brunei Police Force, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Development as well as the Brunei Economic Development Board. In addition to that, MINDEF had also sponsored senior military officers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Sultanate of Oman. 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, for the first time, with the King’s Professional and Executive Education, King’s College London. 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 London, United Kingdom. The participants were exposed to policy approaches and management practices from several key ministries and agencies of that country. Participants also visited a few government agencies in Brunei Darussalam to better familiarize themselves with policy making approaches practiced in the country.
Others present at the ceremony were the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Ambassadors, Permanent Secretaries and other senior officers from the RBAF and government ministries.
