HE Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy President of the Civil Service Council, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, said that the success of the Bahrain Institute of Public Administration (BIPA) in bolstering cooperation and partnerships internationally was strengthened by launching the Master of Public Administration program which came in line with the human development goal – the most important goal of government action program – and in response to achieve leadership development and preparation requirements for the second row leaders. HE Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa patronized the launch ceremony of BIPA's Master of Public Administration program on Wednesday morning 17 February 2016 at Bahrain Conference Center – Crowne Plaza Hotel in the presence of HE Director of the National School of Administration in France Mrs. Nathalie Loiseau as well as a number of their excellencies the ministers, senior official and invitees. The Master of Public Administration was launched by BIPA in cooperation with Aix – Marseille University which is among the top 150 universities in the world, according to Shanghai Ranking. Renowned world leaders and some French Presidents were graduated from the French National School of Administration. BIPA also partnered with local strategic partnerships, the University of Bahrain and Tamkeen in his Program. On this occasion Shaikh Khalid said: “Linking practical experience with scientific and academic knowledge has become essential to contribute to improving the quality of government services on the one hand, and improve the performance of employees of the civil service sector, on the other hand, which would inevitably help in achieving the desired efficiency of various government agencies.” HE underlined the wise government keenness led by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and the follow-up and attention of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, to the development of government staff and providing them with the opportunity to hone their skills and abilities. Shaikh Khalid greeted students of the first batch of the Master of Public Administration program, and invited them to devote hard work and relentless pursuit to use their time and efforts effectively, especially since all eyes are directed to them and hopes pinned on them to achieve the desired success of this program. The Master of Public Administration program aims to develop a new cadre of civil servants, equipped with modern knowledge and best practices in public sector management to improve the quality of public service provided to citizens, as well as providing the government apparatus and civil servants with skills and knowledge in key areas such as policy-making, public sector management, planning and strategic change management, state budget, public finance, partnerships between the private public, contract management, human resources management in the public sector, economy, politics and society in the Gulf region, leadership, ethics, and values in the public service. For his part, His Excellency BIPA's Director General Dr. Raed Mohammed bin Shams, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa for the continuous and unlimited support for the Institute, which aims through its strategic plans to be a complementary and effective element in achieving sustainable development . His Excellency said: “The Master of Public Administration program is an integral part of the citizen-centered national program for the preparation and development of government leaders and to achieve BIPA's strategy based on two core elements in the field of research which are supporting government policy-making on evidences, proofs, problem solving through scientific research.” Dr. bin Shams noted that Bahrain has made great strides in supporting scientific research in public administration, as it had a head start on the Middle East and North Africa in establishing and embracing the Middle East and North Africa Network for Research on Public Administration ” MENAPAR”. He added: “The Master of Public Administration program is considered the debut of the successful cooperation between BIPA as a professional institute with international academic institutions; with an aim to achieve the highest quality in the delivery of government services to keep up with the development aspirations of the Kingdom of Bahrain.” Dr. bin Shams urged students of the first batch of this program- 25 students accepted from among 80 – to make the necessary effort in educational attainment, take advantage of all the experience and expertise to be provided by some of the well renowned world professors, leading experts, academics and specialists of public administration, in the relevant areas, wishing everyone success in their scientific careers.