Muscat-
The Royal Academy of Management has concluded the second edition of the Public Policy & Strategic Planning Programme, specifically designed for Directors General of public sector institutions. This initiative reflects the Academy’s dedication to developing national leaders in public policy and strategic planning, in alignment with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s visionary directives. The programme also reinforces the Academy’s mission to foster leadership across various sectors.
19 Directors General from key planning and institutional affairs departments within government modules participated, acquiring essential skills and knowledge to address the impact of global trends on Oman’s competitiveness. The programme emphasised formulating public policies, developing robust implementation mechanisms, overcoming policy execution challenges, and translating national strategies into practical action plans. It also focused on reviewing policy effectiveness based on target indicators and promoting a culture of cross-institutional collaboration.
Commenting on the programme, Abdulaziz bin Said Al Raisi, Assistant President for Studies and Development, underscored its significance in bringing together decision-makers and policy framers from various government entities to foster collaboration aimed at achieving the ambitious objectives of Oman Vision 2040. He highlighted that the programme was meticulously crafted in partnership with leading global institutions, concentrating on the implications of global trends for Oman and its strategic priorities in public policy formulation and execution.
He emphasized that [participants embarked on an enriching learning journey that included 4 comprehensive educational modules, developed in collaboration with both local and international academic institutions. This immersive experience allowed them to apply managerial skills in practical, real-world contexts while attending specialised guidance sessions that deepened their leadership acumen. The training not only equipped them to lead resilient teams but also empowered them to cultivate agile, competitive administrations that are well-prepared to navigate and meet future challenges effectively.
Dr. Adel bin Salem Fadhil, Assistant Secretary-General for Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Shura Council and one of the participants in this programme, emphasised the importance of the role played by the Royal Academy of Management in fostering a new culture and a generation of leaders open to modern management methods, tools, and various contemporary concepts. This enables the public sector to achieve the required qualitative shift in both individual and institutional performance while enhancing competitiveness in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. He expressed his appreciation to the organisers and supervisors of the programme for the high level of precision in planning, preparation, and the meticulous execution of its various elements, which had a significant impact on maximising the benefit and improving the level of interaction and performance of the participants.
Jalanda bin Hilal Al Maawali, General Directorate of Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Ministry of Information and another participant in the programme, expressed his appreciation to the programme organisers for their efforts in developing leadership skills within the government sector. He stated: “My experience in the programme has been an invaluable opportunity to develop my skills and understanding in this vital field. The programme provided me with deep insights into how to design and implement policies that meet societal needs and contribute to sustainable development. Through lectures and workshops, I enhanced my skills in comprehensive data analysis and learned how to use strategic tools to assess challenges and opportunities. The programme also enriched the values of collaboration between various public and private sectors, giving us a better understanding of the role of partnerships in achieving national goals. One of the key lessons I learned is the importance of adaptability and flexibility in public policies, especially in light of the rapid changes taking place globally.”
It is worth noting that the programme, which ran from April 2024 until this October, aimed to formulate public policies, develop mechanisms for their implementation, address the challenges of effective policy execution, translate national strategies into actionable plans, and evaluate and review the effectiveness of public policies against goals and outcomes. It also sought to understand the impact of global trends and developments on Oman’s competitiveness, in addition to enhancing cooperation among the state’s administrative modules to achieve the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
