The third cohort of “Public and International Affairs Strategic Leadership Certificate” (SLC3)
This course is organised by the Australian Government, through the Vietnam-Australia Centre (VAC) in cooperation with Curtin University, to contribute to cooperation in education and improving the quality of human resources as one of the key areas of focus under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
The training program focuses on four key pillars of high impact in public leadership: leadership with local and global visions; sustainable growth with environmental protection; leadership in the digital age; and leadership for social inclusion. These elements are consistent with Vietnam’s Socio-economic Development Plan, National Master Plan, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Training activities in the course suit Vietnam’s need and direction in human resource development
Knowledge related to “leadership in the digital age” is a topical theme, exploring the challenges and opportunities that digital technology brings to public sector leaders, including aspects such as remote leadership, big data management, cybersecurity, and utilisation of technology to provide better public services.
Dr. Nguyen Dang Que, Deputy Director of the Academy of Public Administration and Governance, shared that the most valuable aspect of the course was that it helped participants gain a deeper insight into practical actions in sustainable development, environmental protection, and future opportunities and challenges to inform decision-making.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duc Kien, Deputy Director of the Academy of Politics Region III, said that the combination of fundamental theory and current issues, such as leadership in the digital age and sustainable development, together with site visits to businesses and local governments, was very useful for managers.
For Dr. Au Thi Hong Tham, Principal of Bac Kan School of Politics, noted that while it was a short course, shegained ” a lot of useful knowledge to improve leadership capacity in the digital age.
She is passionate about leveraging regional strengths combined with national support to promote inclusive and equitable development for all communities, as this is also a concern for grassroots officials.
The training content is well aligned with Vietnam’s human resource development needs and directions, from leadership skills with a global vision and sustainable development to data digitalisation and e-Government.
Knowledge exchange between Vietnam and Australia
Through the course, participants are equipped with knowledge to balance economic development and ecological protection responsibility, develop renewable energy, and build a policy and regulatory frameworks for sustainable development. Participants are encouraged to take advantage of regional strengths combined with national support to promote sustainable development at both regional and national levels, and to foster comprehensive and equitable development for all communities.
Through intensive training and field visits in Vietnam and Australia, participants, experts, and senior executives from both public and private sectors of the two countries have shared experiences, built social networks and social capital at the national, regional, and global levels, ensuring that participants can connect with domestic and international colleagues to apply acquired knowledge to the work in their organisations. In this way the program emphasises the importance of mutual learning and knowledge sharing between Vietnam and Australia.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Truong Giang, Deputy Director of the Academy of Journalism and Communication, shared: “Not only did I have access to modern knowledge about governance, digital transformation, gender equality, and strategic leadership, I also had the opportunity to meet and exchange with experts, lecturers, and senior leaders of the Australian Government and prestigious organisations. Practical experiences at educational institutions, businesses, and public agencies in Australia have helped me broaden my vision, absorb many good models, and effective practices that can be applied to the leadership and management in Vietnam”.
Prof. Xiaotian Zhang, Vice-Chancellor of International Cooperation, Curtin University, said: “When we work together, we make a difference for people and our environment”.
During the course, participants developed and presented 16 workplace application projects that align with the program’s focus areas and are applicable at both national and international levels, to create meaningful and measurable changes in the public sector.
Ms. Renee Deschamps – Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy in Vietnam said that the partnership between Australia and Vietnam has never been more dynamic or comprehensive.
“We are confident that the experiences, insights, and networks that participants have built during the course will enrich their professional practice and strengthen their ability to lead impactful, evidence-based change through work-based projects, and further strengthen the ties between our two countries,” Ms. Renee Deschamps said.
This is the third course offered by the Australian Government to support Vietnam since 2022, organised through the VAC in cooperation with Curtin University.
Through the three-month course, 16 leaders of central agencies such as the Office of the Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, and representatives from agencies and units of Ha Tinh, Kien Giang, Can Tho, Bac Ninh, Bac Kan, and Tuyen Quang provinces have built and implemented application projects on many different topics related to the needs and practice in Vietnam.