36th Senior Management Course Concludes at NIPA with Focus on Modernisation
— December 27, 2024
KARACHI (AIA) The National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) Karachi concluded its 36th Senior Management Course (SMC) on Friday, designed for officers eligible for promotion to higher grades. The course, aimed at enhancing general management skills and preparing participants for advanced responsibilities, saw the participation of 39 officers from federal and provincial government service groups and autonomous corporations.Zafar Masud, President and CEO of the Bank of Punjab, served as the chief guest at the closing ceremony. He lauded the critical role of senior officials in public service delivery and policy-making while commending NIPA’s efforts in transforming administrative training.Masud emphasised the need to overhaul Pakistan’s civil service system, revising teaching methods and curricula to match international standards and adapt to rapid global changes. “No system in the world is free from flaws at the strategic and administrative levels. Mistakes happen, but our system doesn’t provide room for them,” he remarked, urging the integration of modern technologies and digital tools to enhance service delivery and decision-making. He also highlighted lessons Pakistan could learn from the governance models of China, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Malaysia and called for a shift in focus from traditional security concerns to economic and environmental security.On behalf of the Bank of Punjab, Masud announced contributions to upgrade NIPA’s library into a state-of-the-art facility and pledged to install an ATM on campus for the convenience of trainees.NIPA Director General Dr. Syed Saif ur Rehman, in his welcome speech, stressed the importance of adapting to an AI-driven world. “Civil servants are not masters but servants of the people. We must use our professional expertise for public welfare,” he said.Chief Instructor SMC Abdul Khalique Shaikh briefed the audience on the course’s structure, which included lectures, simulation exercises, case studies, field visits, and interactions with prominent officials, such as the Chief Secretary of Sindh and consuls general of Türkiye and Malaysia.During the ceremony, NIPA recognised outgoing Chief Instructor Samina Intizar, who retires in January 2025 after 30 years of service, with floral tributes and heartfelt compliments from all speakers. Souvenirs were presented to Zafar Masud, and certificates were distributed to participants, marking the successful completion of the course.