09 September 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane informed the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), represented by Mr. Alvin Silva, Program Manager of the Center for Development Management (CDM), was in Laos from August 15 to 17 to undertake discussions and preparations on three areas of engagement of AIM in/with Laos, i.e., the Program for Senior Public Managers (PSPM); Development Management for Non-Gobernmental Organization (NGO) Leaders; and Public Financial Management for Development Managers.

Program for Senior Public Managers (PSPM)

Mr. Silva met with the officials of the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports and the National University of Laos (NUOL) on August 15 to finalize the logistical and technical preparations for the implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between AIM and the Lao Government for the PSPM in Laos. 

The objective of the PSPM, which is under the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) program, is to build the capacity of senior public managers of Laos through a series of non-degree and degree programs. It will focus on developing senior public managers' competence on four key areas of management, namely: Basic Management, Planning, Leadership and Management of Change, and Finance.

Development Management for NGO Leaders in Emerging Economies Program

On August 16, Mr. Silva met with the representatives from the local and international NGOs in Laos and presented AIM’s Development Management program for NGO Leaders in Emerging Economies.  This is a program for local and national NGO managers in the Greater Mekong Sub-region designed to develop a strong cadre of development managers working for the development of their country through local and national NGOs and civil society organizations.  NGOS represented at the meeting included WWF Laos; Handicap International; World Vision and Norwegian Church Aid.

Public Financial Management for Development Managers Program

Mr. Silva also met with Mr. Boualith Khounsy, Deputy Director General of International Cooperation Department of the Lao Ministry of Finance and other officials of the Ministry on 16 August 2013.  The program is being offered as certificate course to the Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning in the ASEAN region.  

Vice Consul Analyn Ratonel joined Mr. Silva in his meetings with NGOs and officials of the Lao Ministry of Finance. END