As part of its 2025 international cooperation plan and in continuation of initiatives to strengthen local governance capacity, the Academy of Public Administration and Governance (APAG), from May 19 to June 6, 2025, hosted a series of activities with a high-level expert delegation from the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) to launch the “Inclusive Local Governance” (ILG) Project in Viet Nam.
At the meeting on the morning of May 19, 2025.
The CBIE delegation was led by Ms. Karen Dalkie, Vice President for Development and Partnerships, and included several leading Canadian experts such as Dr. Martine Durier-Copp (Program Manager and Curriculum Designer); Dr. Pauline Rankin (Technical Advisor on Gender and Inclusion); Mr. Michel Amar (Technical Advisor on Public Policy and Strategic Communications); Ms. Tatiana Wojtan (ILG Project Lead in Viet Nam).
Representing APAG were Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh, APAG Vice President; Ms. Pham Thi Quynh Hoa, Acting Director of the Department of Science Management and International Cooperation; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Hai, Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Sciences; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Van, Dean of the Faculty of Archival and Office Management.
The working program took place across multiple localities in Viet Nam, combining site visits, technical exchanges, and the development of an implementation framework for the project. Specific activities included:
At APAG and its campuses:
- May 19: A working session at the APAG Ha Noi Headquarters, with the morning session chaired by Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh. Discussions focused on administrative structure, public administration reform, and gender equality in civil servant recruitment.
- May 20–30: Delegation visits to APAG campuses in Đak Lak, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Nam, Lang Son, and Tay Ninh.
- June 5–6: Final sessions in Ha Noi, including thematic meetings and the action plan wrap-up.
These working sessions received active participation from faculty leaders, administrators, and lecturers, reflecting the APAG’s proactive and collaborative spirit in the process of internationalizing public administration training and research.
The ILG Project is part of a broader strategic initiative by CBIE and APAG, focusing on enhancing the effectiveness of local governance; promoting the participation of vulnerable groups in policy-making; improving civil servant training mechanisms; and strengthening the capacity of local administrative systems.
Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh, APAG Vice President, delivered welcome remarks to the CBIE delegation on the morning of May 19, 2025.
Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh, APAG Vice President, warmly welcomed the expert delegation from CBIE on their visit. In his remarks, he stated that the working session marked the starting point of a series of activities within the framework of the ILG Project – a joint initiative between CBIE and APAG aimed at supporting capacity building for local public officials.
He emphasized that the project not only contributes to enhancing institutional capacity but also places special importance on integrating gender equality and ensuring inclusive participation from all groups in the policy-making and implementation process at the local level. Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh affirmed that this is a practical and necessary approach in the current context of administrative reform. He also expressed the APAG’s strong commitment and readiness to work closely with CBIE to ensure the project achieves sustainable and far-reaching outcomes.
Key discussion points during the session included (1) An overview of APAG’s organizational structure, mission, and training activities; (2) A briefing on Viet Nam’s administrative reform, restructuring, and streamlining of the government apparatus; (3) The impact of government restructuring on APAG; (4) Areas of cooperation under the project, with a focus on incorporating gender equality in local governance.
Ms. Karen Dalkie, Vice President for Development and Partnerships, CBIE.
Ms. Karen Dalkie expressed her pleasure at returning to APAG following her working visit in February 2025. She highly appreciated the effective collaboration between CBIE and APAG in shaping the project’s orientation and content for civil service capacity building. Over the next two weeks, the CBIE delegation will conduct site visits in six localities in collaboration with APAG to better understand on-the-ground realities and propose tailored training programs and activities. She also extended her gratitude to the Department of Science Management and International Cooperation and relevant units for their thoughtful preparation, and expressed her hopes that the mission would achieve its expected results.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, APAG Vice President, worked with the CBIE delegation on the afternoon of May 19, 2025.
In the afternoon of the same day, the CBIE delegation continued their working agenda with Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Suu, APAG Vice President, to further discuss the implementation orientation for the next phases of the project. Also attending the meeting were representatives from key departments, including Dr. Le Thanh Huyen, Director of the Graduate Training Management Department; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Dieu Oanh, Dean of the Faculty of Law; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Khac Anh, Dean of the Faculty of Social Development Management; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Dean of the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science – Foreign Languages – Informatics; Dr. Vu Cam Tu, Deputy Director of the Graduate Training Management Department.
Key topics discussed included: (1) Analyzing the impact of administrative restructuring on training and professional development for local-level leadership; (2) An overview of current training programs at APAG, as well as the curriculum design and implementation process; (3) Unique characteristics of APAG’s training programs compared to other institutions in Viet Nam; (4) Discussion on the competency profiles of trainees, lecturers, and staff involved in training activities; (5) Open exchange to align on orientation and prepare plans for upcoming site visits at the local level.
At the meeting on the afternoon of May 19, 2025.
The “Inclusive Local Governance” project is not only a milestone in the international cooperation between APAG and CBIE, but also makes a tangible contribution to improving the quality of grassroots governance in Viet Nam. With close coordination, clear direction, and mutual commitment, the project is expected to yield concrete and sustainable outcomes, thereby advancing a more modern, effective, and inclusive administrative system.
In the coming period, APAG and CBIE will continue to conduct site visits, design training programs, and hold thematic workshops, ensuring high practical applicability and alignment with the development needs of the public workforce in this new context.
Delegates from APAG and CBIE.