Lao language training toolkits in the three areas: ... Does

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LAO PDR
Building NOSPAs Capacity to Support NGPES
Implementation
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AGENDA

• Share progress on the Capacity building component
  of the WBs CAS
• Agree on the next steps in implementing the
  proposed curriculum design support to the courses
  
• Develop consensus on priorities for the design of
  a larger project for which we would seek donor
  support and which would also target NOSPAs
  provincial branches

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SUPPORTING CAPACITY BUILDING IN NOSPA
Four capabilities in particular would require
attention

• Curriculum design
• Pedagogical upgrading
• Research
• Modernizing of current training facilities.

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Activity Planning for NOSPA Support Program
Component 1 Curriculum Review

• Expected Outcomes
• To build NOSPAs capacity to review, update and
  design curriculum so that it strengthens the
  public sectors ability to implement key key
  NGPES outcomes.
• Content
• basic micro and macro-economics
• public finance (including project analysis and
  financial management),
• trade theory and policy
• Gradually include other areas for review, such
  as project management, international law,
  development economic theory, international
  economics, company law, demography and population
  studies, and English as a second language.

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Activity Planning for NOSPA Support Program
Component 1 Curriculum Review (Contd)

• Intervention
• Head of department would designate a focal point
  to select a team from the faculty twinning with
  local consultants.
• International consultant to devise a process,
  which would strengthen the capacity of NOSPA to
• Assess the skills and knowledge gaps of clients,
  starting with key line Ministries for NGPES
  implementation (such as Finance, Trade and CPI)
• Translate results into priority learning outcomes
  for the courses
• Assemble and tailor new curriculum to address
  the gaps
• Target Audience
• Multiple audience

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Activity Planning for NOSPA Support Program
Component 2 Training of Trainers

• Expected Outcomes
• Lao language training toolkits in the three
  areas
• Teaching techniques, case study writing and
  preparing exercises in selected subjects
• Content
• Interactive, hands-on, case based, participatory
  approaches to learning
• Target Audience (clarify delivery
  responsibilities to provinces)
• A core of NOSPA trainers needs to be selected who
  can also focus on curriculum and teaching
  improvement at the provincial level. These could
  include
• NOSPA faculty at central and provincial branches
• Lecturers
• Short-term Consultants delivering courses

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Activity Planning for NOSPA Support Program
Component 2 Training of Trainers (Contd)

• Design and Delivery
• What are the design options? Stand-alone events,
  modules to be inserted in existing professional
  development activities (How long?)
• Have there been any similar activities in the
  past? What worked best?
• Language
• As ToT workshops will be conducted in English,
  what will be the most effective method of
  translation to Lao?
• Does NOSPA have the capacity to translate
  materials from English to Lao?
• Do they provide simultaneous interpretation to
  Lao for courses delivered in English?
• Internet Access
• In the short term, can faculty use the computer
  facilities at the JICA training center in
  Vientiane to access in online materials and
  apprentice on-line approaches?

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Activity Planning for NOSPA Support Program
Component 3 Strengthening Research Capabilities

• Interventions
• Adapt courses in data gathering, Monitoring and
  Evaluation, and poverty analysis to Lao-specific
  activities outcomes prioritized in the NGPES
• Partnership management and maintenance - WBI
  could facilitate a partnership with a foreign
  university to provide expertise and know-how to
  strengthen NOSPAs research capabilities.
• Proposal writing training to raise externally or
  lobby domestically for funds for research
• Outcomes
• Assessing demand for and marketing NOSPAs
  research capabilities across ministries,
  including data gathering, analysis and policy
  advice (students and faculty)
• Increased access to professional research and
  academic journals
• Greater contact with other research organizations
  both internationally and locally

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Activity Planning for NOSPA Support Program
Component 4 Modernizing NOSPAs Training
Facilities

• Beginning with the Vientiane Branch and gradually
  extending to each of the provincial branches,
  the following would likely be needed
• Modernizing the Library and Information Systems
  - Upgrading the Information Institute with modern
  facilities including an electronic library
  connected with all parts of the NOSPA and its
  branches
• Start the process using software and hardware to
  take advantage of new and existing materials on
  NGPES (toolkits, source books and online
  learning)
• English Language Facilities - Setting up an
  English language lab for teachers and students to
  improve their English skills
• Access to Computers - Equipping economics
  training and research with facilities such as
  computers, overheads, audio and video equipment,
  etc. This would also require access to the
  Internet, email, and desk top publishing
• Database of publishing - Supplying economics
  references published in foreign languages
  (primarily English) such as books, newspapers,
  journals which will be kept in the Information
  Institute
• Videoconferencing Facilities- NOSPA needs a VC
  facility for DL courses as well as regular
  communication with partners

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NEXT STEPS
Supporting NGPES implementation

• WBI facilitates high level action-oriented
  experience sharing and learning events.
• A joint high level retreat could be organized
  with NOSPA for key policy makers to learn from
  experiences of officials in Vietnam and China in
  PRSP implementation