Pasig City, September 29, 2023 – Some 15 officials of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and its political schools from Ha Noi, Vietnam embarked on a study mission to the Development Academy of the Philippines to gain insights into its continuing education programs and innovative leadership approaches that create knowledge partnerships with national and local governments in the Philippines.  The visit marks a significant milestone in fostering partnerships, collaboration and knowledge exchange in capability building and innovative leadership. 

The delegation comprised of middle managers and senior officials, led by Vice Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, Assistant to the Poliburo member, HCMA President and Director of the International Knowledge Sharing Center, arrived at DAP Pasig City where they were warmly received by the DAP’s senior management led by President and CEO Atty. Engelbert C. Caronan, Jr., MNSA.  

During the visit, the HCMA delegation engaged in a series of informative and interactive discussions with the DAP senior officers who presented and shared its ongoing flagship programs, including the Capability Building on Innovative Leadership for Legislative Staff (CBILLS), Public Management Development Management (PMDP), Local Government Executives and Managers Class (LGEMC), programs under the Productivity and Development Center (PDC), the Graduate School of Public and Development Management (GSPDM)  and Center for Strategic Futures. 

One of the highlights of the visit was a comprehensive tour of DAP’s innovation hub where the delegation had the opportunity to witness firsthand the Academy’s innovative spaces. 

Vice Minister Nguyen Manh Hung expressed their appreciation for the warm reception and valuable knowledge shared by the members of DAP.   They emphasized the importance of international collaboration in addressing common challenges and goals and how DAP’s experiences serve as a model for HCMA’s future endeavors. 

DAP P/CEO Caronan commented on the successful exchange of ideas during the visit, stating, “DAP is humbled to have hosted the HCMA delegation and to have shared our best practices.  And since our countries, the Philippines and Vietnam, are both members of the Asian Productivity Organization, I firmly believe that we are in an excellent place in promoting and ensuring sustainable innovation and productivity through our mutual cooperation and shared goals. We might also learn from each other and integrate our best practices in our services to guarantee the efficient and optimal achievement of our institutional objectives.” He also thanked the Asian Development Bank led by the KM team of the Department of Communications and Knowledge Management headed by Dr. Susann Roth, for choosing DAP to be a part of this knowledge sharing study tour. 

Meanwhile, DAP Vice President Nanette Caparros shared PMDP Senior Executives Class (Batch 4) scholars’ visit in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam in 2015, where they learned about innovations in policies, programs and systems in delivering public services. 

The study visit concluded with a photo session during which P/CEO Caronan and Vice Minister Nguyen Manh Hung exchanged tokens of appreciation.  Both parties expressed their eagerness to continue this dialogue and explore avenues for future cooperation.