The Ministry of Defence (MinDef) organised an opening ceremony for the 19th Executive Development Programme (EDP) for Senior Government Officers on Public Policy and Management at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (SHHBIDSS), Bolkiah Garrison yesterday.
Permanent Secretary at the MinDef Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Alirupendi bin Haji Perudin underscored the programme’s design, which has reflected up to date policy underpinnings and circumstances, giving participants deep insights into the intricacies of public policy in a constantly changing environment.
He also highlighted the cohort’s diverse participation, and together with the teaching faculty from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), it will further contribute to a more enriched understanding and good insights on policy considerations.
During the event, Senior Research Fellow at LKYSPP Dr Woo Jun Jie led the LKYSPP team, highlighting the continued close relations between the two institutions in areas of professional development and education.
This year’s EDP consists of 29 participants, including 12 senior military officers (rank of Lieutenant Colonel) from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), two senior officers from the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), eight senior officers from various government ministries namely the Prime Minister’s Office; Ministry of Finance and Economy; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism; and Ministry of Religious Affairs, as well as seven foreign senior officers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Facilitated by SHHBIDSS and conducted by a faculty of highly experienced academicians and experts from LKYSPP, National University of Singapore, the 12-week programme will be held until October 11. In addition to the classroom-based learnings, the programme will also feature local content components such as presentations and talks from invited speakers and visits to various ministries and agencies to provide a more in-depth understanding of Brunei Darussalam’s strategic environment, alongside its primary focus on public policy and management.
Some 447 senior officers have undergone the MinDef’s EDP since it was first inaugurated in 2004. – Rokiah Mahmud
