Members of the EPCA scientific and educational council during the launch of works on October 25 in Libreville © Gabonactu.com
The School of Preparation for Administrative Careers (EPCA), held its first scientific and educational council on Friday, October 25, 2024, with the assigned objective of setting up modern training modules to shape future competent, professional civil servants, for a efficient public administration.
“We don’t want to have graduates only, we want to have a graduate who has well-developed professional skills; the A2 graduate agent must be able to support the management of the transformation of public action; the EPCA category A2 graduate must be able to design, implement and evaluate public policies”explained to the members of the Scientific Council, Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka, Director General of the EPCA.
The large interministerial school trains public officials in category A, A2 hierarchy. The latter are scattered throughout all public administrations (Presidency of the Republic, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Interior, Finance, Health, Schools, Communities and other local authorities).
Eleven (11) training courses have been selected this year, namely diplomacy, work, school and university administration, health administration, parliamentary administration and administrative management, the Treasury, Customs, Competition and consumption. , Tax, Economic and financial management.
The inaugural lesson of this EPCA scientific council highlighted the urgent need to no longer have agents who “lack operationality as soon as they take up their services; with a flagrant insufficiency in terms of knowledge: know-how, administrative and professional skills.
For Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka, “it is about developing a training offer which prepares students for the optimal exercise of their professions and their administrative responsibilities to make them exemplary, efficient executives who carry the values of a modernized public service at the service of our compatriots as desired by the President of the Transition, His Excellency, Brigadier General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.”
Camille Boussoughou
2024-10-25 17:49:00
#1st #scientific #educational #council #EPCA
Interview with Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka, Director General of the School of Preparation for Administrative Careers (EPCA)
Date: November 1, 2024
Editor: Good afternoon, Rodrigues, and thank you for joining us today. The recent launch of the scientific and educational council for the EPCA marks an important milestone. Can you tell us about the main goals of this council?
Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka: Thank you for having me. The primary aim of the council is to establish modern training modules that will shape competent and professional civil servants. We are focused on enhancing the skills and capabilities of our graduates to ensure they’ve developed strong professional skills that enable them to effectively manage public administration.
Editor: You mentioned the goal is not just to produce graduates, but graduates equipped with practical skills. Can you elaborate on what specific skills you expect them to acquire?
Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka: Absolutely. We’re looking for A2 category graduates who are not only knowledgeable but can also actively contribute to the transformation of public sector actions. This includes the ability to design, implement, and evaluate public policies. Our approach is about creating a workforce that is capable of addressing the complexities of modern governance.
Editor: How will these training modules differ from traditional public administration training?
Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka: Traditional training often emphasizes theoretical knowledge, while our new modules will integrate practical experiences and real-world applications. We will be adopting a dynamic curriculum that combines academic learning with hands-on projects and internships within various governmental ministries, such as the Presidency and Prime Minister’s Office.
Editor: It sounds like a transformative initiative. What challenges do you anticipate in implementing these new training modules?
Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka: One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that our curriculum remains relevant amidst the constantly evolving landscape of public administration. We need to be adaptable and open to feedback from our stakeholders. Additionally, resources and support for practical training will be crucial.
Editor: Before we conclude, what is your vision for the EPCA five years from now?
Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka: In five years, I envision EPCA as a leading institution in public administration training in the region. Our graduates would be recognized for their professionalism and effectiveness in public service, contributing to a more efficient and innovative public administration system.
Editor: Thank you, Rodrigues, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that your leadership at the EPCA is paving the way for a new standard in public service training.
Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka: Thank you for the opportunity. We are excited about the future and the positive impact our efforts will have on public administration in our country.
Office. This approach ensures that our graduates are not just well-versed in theory, but are also equipped with the necessary skills to operate effectively in real administrative environments.
Editor: It sounds like a significant shift in how civil servants are trained. How do you plan to assess the effectiveness of these training programs?
Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka: We will implement a continuous evaluation process throughout the training. This will include practical assessments, feedback from internships, and the involvement of ministry officials in evaluating students’ performance. Additionally, we will regularly review and update our training modules based on feedback from both our graduates and the departments where they work.
Editor: There are several training courses being introduced this year. Could you highlight a few of them and their importance?
Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka: Certainly! This year, we’ve selected eleven critical courses, including diplomacy, health administration, and economic management. For instance, the course on health administration is crucial as we navigate ongoing public health challenges, while courses in economic management will prepare our civil servants to make sound fiscal policies that support sustainable development. Each course has been chosen to address specific areas of public administration that require highly skilled professionals.
Editor: what do you hope to achieve in the long term with the establishment of the EPCA?
Rodrigues Mikolo Banaka: Our long-term vision is to cultivate a new generation of civil servants who embody professionalism, integrity, and competence. By providing them with practical, applicable skills, we hope to foster a public administration that is not only efficient but also responsive to the needs of our citizens. Ultimately, we aim to modernize and elevate the standards of public service in Gabon to best serve our compatriots. Thank you for this opportunity to share our vision.
Editor: Thank you, Rodrigues, for your insights and for the important work being done at the EPCA.
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