Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei gives priority to high quality public services as one of its long-term National Development Plan (NDP) and outlined in the Wawasan (vision) 2035.

This was pointed out by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Vice-Chancellor Dr Hj Zulkarnai Hj Hanafi in his speech during the opening ceremony of the 6th Development Programme for Government Middle Management Officers (DPGMMO), yesterday.

He said the NDP also includes an institutional development strategy enhancing good governance in the public sectors and efficient government procedures that entail a minimum of bureaucratic red tape.

He stressed that equal performance at all management levels is important to support and implement the policy decisions, therefore a

greater emphasis is placed upon the professional development of middle managers and on improving their coordination capacities.

He added that without strengthening the capacity of public service the government cannot deliver high quality public service and that performance at top and executive level managers is crucial but largely taken for granted.

"To be able to deliver high quality efficient public services, we are looking to public servants who are talented, dedicated, highly motivated and innovative to address complex public policy challenges.

"We are looking to public servants who have the capacity to see emerging challenges and opportunities. These are high expectations but with due efforts and determination it is possible to achieve these expectations," he said.

The programme was aimed to provide participants insights into contemporary approaches and practices in public administration, to teach analytical, technical and interpersonal skills to improve approaches to problem solving, to understand the role and context of administrative culture and societal values in the exercise of public management. It's other objectives include to continuously enhance the quality of successive programmes and welcome any feedback from all participants of their experiences.

According to the vice-chancellor, the programme which targets middle management government officers, seem to be deceptive. "All of you have been nominated with the support of your respective ministries and countries because you are expected to progress further than your currently held positions. It signifies that all of you are potential future leaders," he said

He expressed hope that the programme would benefit the participants in that they would be able to enhance their working skills, develop better communication, ability to make conclusions and clear recommendations to respond to the needs and interests of the nation as well as proficient in the use of ICT, and teamwork amongst different ministries and government agencies. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times