On February 14, 2024, at APAG Headquarters in Ha Noi, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, APAG President, chaired a working session with a delegation from the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), led by Ms. Karen Dalkie, Vice President for Development and Partnerships.
An overview of the meeting.
Also attending the meeting was Ms. Tatiana Wojtan, Manager of Development and Partnership Management at CBIE.
Representing the Academy of Public Administration and Governance (APAG) in the meeting with CBIE were Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh, APAG Vice President, and Ms. Pham Thi Quynh Hoa, Acting Director of the Department of Science Management and International Cooperation.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, APAG President, spoke at the meeting.
In his remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien welcomed the CBIE delegation to APAG. Informing CBIE about recent organizational restructuring and functional changes within APAG, he stated that these adjustments align with Decision No. 214-QĐ/TW, issued on December 28, 2024, by the Politburo regarding the functions, tasks, and organizational structure of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA). Additionally, the restructuring follows Decision No. 55-QĐ/HVCTQG, issued on January 8, 2025, by the HCMA President, which defines the functions, tasks, and organizational structure of APAG.
The Academy of Public Administration and Governance (APAG) now operates as a unit under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA).
He highlighted that starting in 2025, APAG will take on a new mission as a higher education institution under the Party School system. It will continue to fulfill its critical roles in international cooperation, policy consulting, and providing public services in publc administration, state management, and public governance.
Over the years, CBIE and APAG (formerly NAPA) have engaged in various exchange and cooperation activities, achieving initial positive results. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien reaffirmed the necessity and practicality of the Building Inclusive Local Governance Project, which both parties are jointly implementing. He emphasized that this project aligns with the ongoing transformation of public governance, aiming to foster socio-economic development in an era of global integration. Additionally, it supports the APAG’s development strategy during its transition. He also committed to ensuring the project’s successful implementation by prioritizing resources and working closely with CBIE throughout the approval and launch process. This includes conducting surveys, assessing local needs, and engaging with the targeted provinces that will benefit from the project.
Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh, APAG Vice President, spoke at the meeting.
Building on the practical needs and collaboration potential between both sides, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien proposed that the partnership focus on three key areas:
(1) Enhancing Inclusive Local Governance: Supporting six provinces and cities in Viet Nam by improving the capabilities of public leaders in key regions.
(2) Leadership Development for Women: Designing and implementing training programs for female leaders at both central and local levels, as well as female staff within APAG.
(3) International Conferences and Knowledge Sharing: Organizing workshops to exchange experiences on public service renewal and local governance reforms, particularly drawing from Canada’s expertise.
Ms. Karen Dalkie, Vice President, Development and Partnerships, CBIE, spoke at the meeting.
Representing the CBIE delegation, Ms. Karen Dalkie, Vice President for Development and Partnerships at CBIE, expressed her enthusiasm for working directly with APAG to establish a robust cooperation framework. She highly appreciated the APAG’s practical and detailed proposals, acknowledging the challenges ahead but noting that CBIE has already conducted preliminary research on gender issues and structural changes within Viet Nam’s administrative system. Additionally, she shared that CBIE has been adjusting and preparing the project proposal for submission to the Canadian government.
To ensure the smooth implementation of upcoming project activities, both parties discussed key directions in training for Vietnamese public leaders and managers, particularly at the local level. They also exchanged insights on the challenges facing public leaders and managers and the best practices each country has adopted to address these issues.
Meeting participants.
