The Academy has developed a structured training programme to equip MFA officers with the knowledge and soft skills needed at various stages of their careers in MFA. The various milestone programmes employ interactive teaching methods such as panel discussions, fireside chats, mock sessions and policy gaming to enhance the learning experience of participants. We tap on the expertise of senior MFA officers, academics, and other domain experts in these sessions.
Administrative Specialist Basic Programme (ASBP)
The ASBP is the foundation programme for new Foreign Service Administrative Specialist (FSAS) officers. It equips participants with the basic skills and knowledge to operate as technical and administrative staff.
Foreign Service Basic Programme (FSBP)
The FSBP is conducted for new Foreign Service Officers to learn basic diplomatic knowledge and skills. An overseas field trip is a key element of FSBP. Participants will see how an overseas mission operations and will interact with local officials and the diplomatic corps.
Pre-Posting Training Programme (PPTP)
The PPTP equips officers who are going on their first overseas posting with the necessary skills in tradecraft, administration, consular assistance, and media engagement.
Admin Specialist Skills Enhancement Programme (ASEP)
The ASEP serves to upgrade and update the skills of FSAS officers. It includes practice-oriented workshops on project Admin Specialist management and social media.
Foreign Service Supervisory Programme (FSSP)
The FSSP equips mid-level officers with supervisory and managerial skills. The leadership and management training module helps participants discover their management style, and learn how to coach and mentor junior officers.
Foreign Service Advanced Programme (FSAP)
The FSAP enhances the leadership and management capabilities of mid-level officers who will be posted abroad as Deputy Chiefs of Mission. Participants will gain a better understanding of national policies through dialogues with public sector leaders and policy gaming exercises.
Foreign Service Management Programme (FSMP)
The FSMP is the apex milestone programme for officers slated to be appointed as Heads of Mission for the first time. It focuses on the administrative and financial management of overseas missions to prepare them to effectively lead and manage their Missions.
Diplomatic Academy Special Guest Programme
The MFA Diplomatic Academy invites renowned experts to Singapore to speak to our officers on pertinent foreign policy issues and regional developments. Guests also meet senior MFA officials and academics from local think tanks to exchange views.
Programme for ASEAN Diplomats
The Programme for ASEAN Diplomats was launched to deepen ties among junior ASEAN diplomats. Participants attend briefings and discussions with senior Singapore diplomats on topics including regional developments, international issues, and operating in regional and multilateral settings.
Programme for Foreign Diplomats
Launched in 2013, the annual Programme for Foreign Diplomats (PFD) held in Singapore seeks to forge links between junior foreign diplomats and their Singaporean counterparts. Participants also interact with eminent practitioners and academics, who share their knowledge on Singapore and the Southeast Asia region as well as their personal experiences on diplomatic tradecraft.
The MFA Diplomatic Academy organised the sixth run of the PFD from 7 to 11 May 2018. 31 young and promising young diplomats from all geographical regions were introduced to Singapore’s foreign policy, economic policies, policies on land-use and sustainable development and other issues. They made several site visits, including to the Marina Barrage and the Singapore Aviation Academy. Participants also let their hair down at a social night out to mingle with their young Singapore counterparts. Besides learning more about Singapore and the region during the one-week programme, participants also forged friendships among themselves and with Singapore’s young diplomats.
The Academy looks forward to receiving the next group of participants for the next run of the PFD in 2019.
Senior Minister of State for Defence and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Maliki Osman (front row centre) had a dialogue session with PFD participants on 7 May 2018.
Photo Credit: MFA Diplomatic Academy
PFD 2018 participants being briefed when visiting the state-of-the-art LTA Intelligent Transport Systems Centre on 8 May 2018. The Centre monitors the real time traffic conditions of Singapore’s trunk roads.
Photo Credit: MFA Diplomatic Academy
PFD 2018 participants trying out Singaporean hawker cuisine at Maxwell Food Centre, 9 May 2018.
Photo Credit: MFA Diplomatic Academy
PFD 2018 participants experiencing first-hand the Aerodrome Foam Tender Driving Simulator at the Singapore Aviation Academy, 10 May 2018.
Photo Credit: MFA Diplomatic Academy
PFD 2018 participants having fun and enjoying Peranakan cuisine with Singapore MFA colleagues from the International Organisations Directorate and the Australia/New Zealand and The Pacific Directorate during the social night out on 10 May 2018.
Photo Credit: MFA Diplomatic Academy
Ms Kate Tyrrell, PFD 2018 participant from Ireland, having an informal discussion with Mr Chee Wee Kiong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a tea reception after the Closing Ceremony of PFD 2018, 11 May 2018.
Photo Credit: MFA Diplomatic Academy
The MFA Diplomatic Academy constantly improves its training courses and programmes. We visit the Diplomatic Training Institutes of our international counterparts, and participate in yearly meetings of Deans and Directors of Diplomatic Training Institutes. Besides benchmarking our courses and the training outcomes with our counterparts via these visits, we learn from each other and exchange best practices in curriculum planning and teaching methods. These visits strengthen the close ties with our international counterparts.
The MFA Diplomatic Academy, represented by Dean Robert Chua, participated in the 13th Annual Meeting of Deans and Directors of Diplomatic Training Institutions of ASEAN+3 from 23 to 25 May 2018 in Beijing, China. The meeting focussed on “Innovation in Diplomatic Training: New Challenges, New Methods, New Modes”. There was a productive exchange of views on best practices in diplomatic training and innovative training methods.
Photo Credit: MFA Diplomatic Academy
The MFA Diplomatic Academy, represented by Dean Robert Chua, made a benchmarking visit to the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) in Bangkok, Thailand on 8 June 2018. This visit was hosted by Mr Krit Tankanarat, Director of DVIFA. We were warmly received by DVIFA colleagues. We learned from the DVIFA’s innovative training methods for the learning styles of the millennial generation, and how new technologies, such as video-conferencing, have been integrated in the DVIFA’s programmes.
Photo Credit: MFA Diplomatic Academy
During the visit, Dean Robert Chua spoke at the Foreign Affairs Executive Programme organised by the DVIFA for senior Thai officials and diplomats. Diplomats from ASEAN+3 Embassies also attended. He shared his experiences as a career diplomat, and Singapore’s vision for its 2018 ASEAN Chairmanship. The MFA Diplomatic Academy and DVIFA have regular exchanges under the Thailand-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme.
Photo Credit: MFA Diplomatic Academy
