Foundation

The IPA was established by Royal Decree number 93 of 24 /10/1380 AH (corresponding to 10/4/1961) as an independent government agency with a moral character that aims at achieving administrative development and face current and future challenges. The IPA’s latest by-laws, issued by Royal Decree number M/49 on 2/8/1426 AH, reconfirm that the IPA is the central authority for training, development and consultations for governmental agencies.

Objectives

The IPA aims at achieving the main goal behind its establishment, which is serving the cause of comprehensive development in the Kingdom. Following are the IPA’s objectives, as stated in its by-laws:

raise the efficiency of government employees and instruct and train them to shoulder their responsibilities and exercise their authority so as they contribute to the development of administration and bolster the foundations of administrative development;

support the efforts of administrative reform and development;

provide consultations in administrative fields requested by ministries and other government agencies;and

enrich administrative thought with conducting and publishing, administrative research, and translating outstanding works related to administrative development.

The IPA’s by-laws also enable it to take the proper measures to achieve its goals. Paragraph 4 of the by-laws states that the IPA should set up and implement in-service training programs for various employment grades in the government;

set up pre-service programs in various administrative fields according to market needs;

conduct workshops and seminars for the executive branch in the government;

sponser conferences and symposia concerned with administrative development issues;

provide consultations to government agencies and assist in their implementation;

encourage the authoring and publishing of original works and conducting research and administrative studies related to administrative development;

translate into Arabic outstanding international works in the fields relevant to the IPA’s line of work;

classify government documents and facilitate their access;

seek membership with regional, Arab and international institutions and organizations in the field of administrative development;

participate in conferences, symposia and meetings related to  administrative development inside and outside the Kingdom; and

grant scholarships to faculty members to further their education, and dispatch them on study and training missions in areas relevant to the IPA’s areas of concern.

Mission

In light of the comprehensive development the Kingdom is witnessing and within the framework of Total Quality Management that the IPA has adopted, the IPA’s mission is as follows:

The Institute of Public Administration works to achieve administrative development in the Kingdom by providing distinctive and efficient services to the government and private sectors that meet the users’ expectations and gain their satisfaction.

Vision

Ever since its inception in 1961, the IPA has continuously kept up with the latest developments in the field of administration and continually interacted with the outputs of the variables of administrative world in the Kingdom, and also the complex variety of social and economic ramifications. These outputs and ramifications, therefore, necessitate the continual update of the administrative concepts and techniques applied in the executive branches. In response to these challenges, the IPA has mainly embarked on achieving distinction, leadership and innovation, at the local, regional and international levels. Needless to say, the IPA expects to maintain its position of leadership and distinction through the rigorous scrutiny of its activities, which will eventually guide it in its development efforts, and simultaneously preserve what has already been achieved by five-year development plans in the Kingdom. THe IPA’s vision can be stated briefly as follows:

The Institute of Public Administration endeavors to be distinct, pioneering and leading in the provision of high-quality services in the field of administrative development that will be exemplary at the local, regional and international levels.

Board of Directors

The IPA’s board of directors is vested with full power to administer the IPA’s affairs. The board is charged with setting up the IPA’s general plan, pursuing its implementation, issuing acts and executive orders to organize technical, administrative and financial work procedures, and verifying plans. Other duties and tasks are specified in Paragraph 7 of the IPA’s by-laws.

The board of directors consists of the following members:

The Minister of Civil Service, chairman;

The Director General of the IPA, vice chairman and member;

A representative of the Ministry of Higher Education, member;

A representative of the General Organization for Technical & Vocational Training, member;

A representative of the Ministry of Civil Service, member;

A representative of the Ministry of Economy & Planning, member; and

A representative of the Ministry of Finance, member.

Human Resources

The IPA works to increase its human resources of employees and faculty members annually according to a well-thought plan. Faculty members who hold PhDs have the same advantages and follow the same regulations specified in Saudi university by-laws that concern faculty members. Other training staff members are remunerated as per the Instructional Positions Act.  Other employees are remunerated as per the Civil Service Act and the Wages Act.

The IPA seeks to recruit well-qualified graduates in specialties relevant to the IPA’s work in public administration and other relevant disciplines. The IPA also grants its faculty members and other training staff members scholarships to obtain their master’s and doctoral degrees so as to support and bolster IPA activities in training, research, consultations and administrative documentation.

Regional Branches

The IPA has expanded its activities and services to reach the majority of the Kingdom’s population, and cope with the large expansion of the government apparatus and the requirements of administrative development. Along these lines the regional branch in Dammam was established in 1393 AH, followed by the Jeddah branch in 1394 AH. The Women’s IPA branch was established in Riyadh in 1403 AH in order to support working women in the government and private sectors.

The IPA has always aimed at fulfilling its objectives which are emphasized in the decree of its establishment. Therefore, its activities have focused on four main essentials: training, research, consultations and administrative documentation.

I. Training

One of the main objectives of the IPA which are emphasized in its system is to enhance the ability of public sector employees and prepare them academically and empirically so as to be more responsible. Also, they will be able to exercise their authorities properly and in a way that ensures improving the level of administration and supports the principles of administrative growth. Hence, training has been the greatest IPA activity. This has been achieved through the desire of a large number of public sector employees to benefit from this activity which helps them meet their training needs.

Training at the IPA is divided into two main types: in-service training and preparatory (pre-service) training. The in-service training is designed for public sector employees. This aims at meeting their needs and raising their productive ability through providing them with knowledge, skills and positive behavior trends which lead to the development of administrative work and contribute to the administrative development process. This is achieved through short training programs. Each of these programs focuses on one skill, and its duration is from two to ten days.

On the other hand, the preparatory (pre-service) training aims at preparing high school and university graduates to qualfy for specific jobs in the civil service corps and the private sector. To this effect, the IPA introduces a number of preparatory programs which aim at preparing a national manpower to work in different and specific jobs that are in demand in the marketplace. The duration of these programs varies in length from two to two and a half years.

Since some government agencies need a special kind of training and preparatory programs which might not be available among the general preparatory and training programs of the IPA, the Department of Special Programs Coordination studies the special training needs of governmental agencies and coordinates between these bodies and the different departments of the IPA to degign and offer the special program for each agency.

The training activity is also supported by a number of different departments at the IPA such as the General Department of Training Affairs, which receives the applicants to the preparatory programs and undertakes their admission and registration procedures. Registering prospective participants in the special programs is done automatically. The admission procedures of these participants are done in the same way. The Housing Department prepares the accommodations for the interested and eligible trainees of the preparatory and training programs.

The relationship of the Institute of Public Administration with its graduates does not end with their graduation and receiving their certificates. On the contrary, the institute cares much about helping its graduates in finding a suitable job through its coordination with the private sector corporations.

Also, the Training Technology Center exerts important efforts in making the training process at the IPA successful. The center prepares all the required modern technical aids such, as training films, advanced electronic programs, and other training aids which facilitate the information transmission process to trainees. The Center also supervises the preparation of all training rooms, computer labs and English language labs.

Training of Higher Administrators

Top administration leaders have a share in training. In addition to the preparatory and training programs, the training activity at the IPA includes organizing empirical seminars and symposiums and meetings so as to meet the training needs of top leaders in the public sector.     The General Department of Higher Programs at the IPA organizes this activity, which aims at providing top administration leaders with the latest in the field of administration. It also gives them a chance to discuss the administrative problems they encounter, and find suitable solutions to these problems. In addition, it gives these leaders a chance to get acquainted with the most important modern trends in administration, and exchange opinions, experiences and suggestions related to them. The IPA conducts, in this field, with the coordination of international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and others, a number of international practial seminars for top employees in government agencies and other public establishments. The participants in these seminars are a number of administration leaders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the GCC countries. These seminars are presented by international experts who are specialized in specific administrative, economic and financial fields, in cooperation with the IPA’s training staff.

The English Language in Supporting Training

Learning English at the IPA is considered a basic step for most of the trainees in preparatory programs, as well as for the candidates of government agencies who intend to study abroad. The English Language Centers in all the branches of the IPA in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province, as well as the Women’s branch, are equipped with advanced, Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) labs. These labs have advanced software programs through which trainees receive a lot of benefit and learning-through-entertainment under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Distance Learning

In accordance with its continuing trend of using all the modern methods of training, the IPA has adopted the distance learning system through the Growth Distance Learning Network (GDLN). The Institute has signed a cooperation agreement for distance training with the World Bank. Consequently, an integrated network has been installed in the headquarters in Riyadh and in each of the branches. This network, connected to the network of the World Bank and other international networks, has enabled the IPA to participate in many meetings, workshops and training programs in various countries. The Institute has been able to execute international empirical seminars in a modern and diversified manner through the live transmission of these seminars from the World Bank Institute in Washington D.C. to the IPA in Riyadh via satellite. This allows the Institute’s experts and participants to hold discussions and interact with the experts of the World Bank.

The distance learning program allows the IPA to transmit its training services to all the different areas in the Kingdom which do  not have IPA branches. Thus, the IPA will be able to meet the needs of the bodies benefiting from its services in a faster, better and more comprehensive manner.

II. Consultation

Consultation is one of the IPA’s main activities and advanced devices in the process of administrative reform and development of government agencies. This is achieved through offering consultations in the field of organizing such agencies. A thorough study of the status quo of the agency and the obstacles it encounters is undertaken, and then suitable solutions to all problems are offered. The General Department of Consultations undertakes the tasks of this vital activity. It forms experienced and qualified teams to prepare the required consultations for different agencies.

The consultative services of the Institute include various administrative and organizational aspects of the government agencies in the Kingdom. These services involve studying and simplifying the procedures adopted in these agencies, and introducing new technologies in their activities, in order to get rid of the long and complicated procedures which hinder their performance.

The consultation activity is meant to contribute towards reforming the structure of government agencies as well as developing and updating their performance, which should insure raising their performance ability and decreasing the cost of this performance.

The activity of administrative consultations has surpassed the borders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It has reached a number of regional, Arab and international organizations which asked for the Institute’s help in administrative organization and development.

III. Research

Academic research is another main activity at the IPA. The Academic Council at the Institute undertakes the tasks of this activity’s general strategic planning. In addition, the council is responsible for supervising research and the acodemic affairs of staff members at the Institute. On the other hand, the Research Committee at the Institute undertakes the tasks of preparing the five-year research plans of the training staff at the IPA, supervising the suggested academic works, and endorsing appropriate studies. The Institute also publishes a periodical, Public Administration, a refereed academic journal which publishes local and international administrative thought as well as different academic contributions taken from research works, studies, and articles.

The Institute has established a research center comprising an elite of qualified employees. The center aims at supporting academic research at the Institute and publishing administrative thought, following an edvanced objective agenda. The Research Department at the Institute undertakes research and studies, and sponsors the writing of books. It also prepares guides, and offers scientific and technical support to researchers inside and outside the Institute. In addition, the Translation Department at the center translates distinguished academic works, and publishes them after obtaining the approval of the IPA’s administration.

IV. Administrative Documentation

The Institute, being considered one of the pillars of administrative development in the Kingdom and fulfilling one of its most important objectives, has shown a great interest in the area of information and administrative documentation since its establishment. The General Department of Libraries and Documentation and all other, related departments accomplish this role.

At present, the IPA’s libraries are among the most important in the Kingdom and the Arab World. They aim at preparing and organizing information bases in all disciplines which are related to the various activities of the Institute. They also facilitate access to them. the libraies are distinguished for having the latest information in administrative sciences and other related disciplines, such as law, accounting, economics, libraries, information, media and others. They are also distinguished for using the latest technology, computer systems, and modern communication means, such as the Internet. Moreover, they are ready to change into what is called digital libraries.

The IPA’s central library undertakes the acquisition for and organization of the groups of the Institute’s libraries. It also offers information services for users. It consists of many sections distributed on an area of about 4500 square meters. The IPA’s staff members and others from outside the Institute can benefit from its contents through computerized indices available on the library’s website. These informative, technical and human facilities are available in the libraries of the other branches of the IPA in Jeddah and the Eastern Province, as well as the Women’s branch.

The Documentation and Archives Center undertakes collecting and organizing administrative and organizational documents. It also publishes the official publications of the Kingdom, such as royal decrees, royal orders, supreme orders, the cabinet’s resolutions, organizational decisions, executive circulars, and others. The Documentation Section also offers documentation services to government agencies and researchers, offering them divect access to the document information base.

Quality

The IPA’s commitment to high-quality principles and concepts did not start with the establishment of quality control in 1998. In fact, quality practices had already started with the establishment of the IPA itself several years earlier.

The IPA implements high-standard quality concepts on all activities: training, research, consultation, and administrative documentation. Such practices are thoroughly pursued to ensure offering high-quality distinguished services at lower expenses.

To function properly, the IPA is also committed to quality systems and continuous enhancing practices. This is achieved through teams proficiently trained to make on-going efforts for improvement.

Business Center

In addition to the public sector as a major recipient of IPA services, the Institute has launched a Business Center to provide and extend training, consultation, and research services to the private sector in return for certain fees. This is seen as a leap towards expansion. This step comes in harmony with the second article of the IPA’s regulations which stipulates that the Institute can sometimes provide its regular services or other academic services to non-government organizations for fees, in accordance with the Board of Directors’ guidelines. The Business Center is supervised by the IPA’s Director General, and it carries out its activities at the Riyadh headquarters and the branches in Jeddah and the Eastern Province as well as the IPA women branch (WIPA).

The Business Center aims to offer training, research, studies, consultations, academic services in developmental and administrative aspects, facility services, and other available services to the private sector for a financial return. However, these services are also available to the public sector, in certain cases that are determined by the IPA.

The Computer Center

In accordance with the developments in modern technical information, the IPA Computer Center (CC) works on promoting the information culture among the IPA staff through tracking computer developments and updating its computing and Internet services. The CC also supports training activities through two departments: Applications and System Developing Department (ASSDD) and Service Recipients Department (SRD). In addition to the technical support services that the CC provides to the IPA and to its branches, the CC has developed and set up several computer systems at the IPA, which was a giant stride towards complete computerization of its activities and products.

The Press and Publication Department

As the IPA realizes the importance of publicizing administrative thought, which of course forms one of the IPA’s objectives, it has established the Press and Publication Department (PPD). The PPD is assigned to supervise the printing and publishing IPA publications, such as academic studies, research, and periodicals.

The PPD prints IPA academic studies and brochures through different technical phases according to the latest standards, using modern machineries and equipment. Furthermore, the PPD endeavors to accelerate human and technical development, in order to escalate productivity, both in quantity and quality, which helps in coping with increasing, systematic IPA academic production.

The PPD also sells and distributes academic publications inside and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through specialized distributors with whom the IPA has signed official contracts.

The IPA’s participation in book exhibitions is extensive and includes most of these exhibitions. Such participation  comes in harmony with the academic and cognitive value of IPA publications. It also helps the IPA cope with the expected increase in the volume, distribution and selling of publications.

The Public Relations and Media Department

The Public Relations and Media Department (PRMD) carries out planned communication campaigns aiming to strengthen bonds between the IPA and its local and international audience. To achieve such an objective, the PRMD employs different means, such as the monthly magazine, distributed in and out of the IPA, and the daily electronic newsletter which covers IPA staff’s activities. In addition, the PRMD freely distributes other IPA publications to officials as well as specialized and involved figures in the field. Also, the PRMD always invites such audiences to the IPA’s special occasions.

Moreover, the PRMD takes the initiative to participate in various annual fairs, festivals, and occasions. It also plays a great role in communicating with the mass media. As an interaction with various national campaigns, the PRMD organizes public relations campaigns to raise the IPA’s staff and trainee awareness

Furthermore, the PRMD coordinates all various visits to the IPA by high-ranking officials, guests of the Kingdom’s and student delegations. Administratively, it is also in charge of the Prince Salman Conference Center as well as the services at the IPA cafeteria.

The Social Committee

Along with its training, research, and consulting tasks, the IPA does not ignore the human side with regard to its staff. It profoundly acknowledges the importance of such a vital aspect. Therefore, the IPA has been working toward building and developing social relationships among staff members as well as enhancing their artistic and cultural talents at all educational and occupational levels to give them the opportunity to practice such talents. To achieve these objectives, the Social Committee (SC) was established in 1983. The SC is independent in that its members are chosen by voting, endorsed by the IPA’s Director General.