His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Chairman of Civil Service Council, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, confirmed that the vision for development of the civil service sector is based on enhancing government performance through investment in qualified and trained human resources capable of innovation, creativity and change, in a manner that serves the basis of sustainable development in its overall perspective. This came during His Excellency’s inauguration of the 2016-2018 strategy of the Institute of Public Administration this morning (Sunday – January 31, 2016) at the Bahrain Conference Centre, Crowne Plaza Hotel, in the presence of a number of Their Excellency the Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior officials and invitees. His Excellency stated: “Today, It is a pleasure to harvest a fresh outcome from the optimum utilization of our capabilities in the development of the civil service sector, represented by the launch of the trilateral strategy of the Institute. This strategy will focus on providing services in line with our developmental aspirations, developing the management of potential resources to provide such services, together with capacity building to conform to creative change for continuous development, and the creation of policies and strategies guarantor to achieve sustainable development”. His Excellency made clear the importance of relying on strategic plans to contribute to the raising of government's performance, especially in light of different surrounding factors affecting the functioning of the government, which makes it imperative for ministries and government agencies to keep pace with changes; in order to achieve the goals that form in their entirety the government's commitment to its action plan. His Excellency continued: “Since its establishment to this day, the Institute of Public Administration was able to achieve the desired integration between various ministries and government agencies. The Institute's role is no longer limited to providing its scheduled programs for the benefit of the civil servants, but currently it has become capable of meeting the needs of those ministries and government agencies upon their request, which confirms the transformation of the institute, in record time, from a nascent project to a national house of expertise and an effective partner in development. It managed, during that period until the end of 2015, to train more than 21 thousand government employees, equivalent to about 46% of the total labor force in the public sector. ” His Excellency pointed out that the Civil Service Council is keen to support the Institute in the success of its programs, particularly the Master’s Program in Public Administration, which is the first academic vocational program in the Kingdom that was designed based on a needs analysis study. The study clearly identified the need for the program and its impact on the development of government work. It is expected to integrate practical experience and academic aspects based on sound scientific grounds. The inauguration ceremony of the 2016 -2018 strategy for the Institute of Public Administration included honoring of graduates of various programs totaling 300 employees from various ministries and government agencies who participated in the preparation of Emerging Leaders Program (TAKWEEN), Professional Certificate Program in the foundations of human resources, Basics of Government Projects Management Program, Customer Service in Public Sector Program (KHEDMA), and the Diploma Program in Public Sector Orientation (TAHYE’EAH). On his part, Director General of The Institute of Public Administration Dr. Raed Mohammed BenShams, extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, on his continuous and unlimited support to the Institute and its programs, which aim to raise the level of the civil service sector and its Bahraini employees. His Excellency said: “With the inauguration of the 2016-2018 strategy, the Institute of Public Administration enters a new phase of improving government performance in the area of policies, strategies, resource management, change management, and development of government services through the development of skills, behavior and knowledge. This is accomplished by the provision of learning and training , contribution to decision-making through consultation, problem solving through scientific research, capacity building through evaluation and personal counseling, and with the full realization of the importance of spreading awareness and the culture of government performance through strategic communication”. Dr. BenShams explained that the Institute's strategy shall document a record full of achievements, like for example, the publication of 407 research papers in the field of public administration, provision of 14 management consultations to various destinations inside and outside the Kingdom, as well as providing 1820 evaluation services, and 1114 guidance hours which contributed to improving government performance. During the inauguration ceremony, a number of outstanding graduation projects were presented which reflect the true role committed by the institute during the past years. These were: (KAFA’AT program) a project aimed at capacity development and launched by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs with the participation of 70 young men and women affiliated to the Youth Centers. Another project was (TARMEEM) prepared by staff at Survey and Land Registration Office. The project has contributed to the saving of 1.8 million dinars through the preservation and restoration of stored dilapidated historical maps by providing adequate environment, and raised awareness of the need to preserve and maintain such documents. The last presentation was for the project on (development of work procedures in the Department of Construction Licensing at the Ministry of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning), which aims to reduce the duration of construction licensing procedures to achieve customer satisfaction. The procedures duration was reduced from three weeks to just one day with a marked increase in productivity.