Written by Mekong Institute
The Mekong Institute was commissioned by the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) and Thailand International Development Agency (TICA) to conduct a three-week training course on Effective Project Management for Sustainable Development in the GMS for twenty four participants from public and private sectors in thesix GMS countries. The course, conducted on 17 August 4 September 2009, aimed to develop the participants capacity to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate national and transboundary development projects that address issues relevant to the GMS. It sought to provide knowledge and practical experience on the application of Project Cycle Management and Logical Framework in accordance with international project management standards.
Specifically the curriculum focused on:
- Setting the Context on GMS development, cooperation and integration and overview of Project Cycle
- Project Initiation: Project Conceptualization and Identification
- Project Planning
- Project Execution and Implementation
- Project Control, Monitoring and Evaluation
Six resource persons and subject experts contributed to the design and delivery of lectures, workshop and structured learning visits.These experts were MI Director Dr Suchat, Dr Blesilda Calub from the University of Philippines – Los Banos , MI Research Manager Ms. Maria Theresa S. Medialdia, MI Learning Program Manager Ms. Sanda Thant, MI Program Specialist Mr. Marat Yu, and MI Program Specialist Ms. Narumon Wangnai.
The participants evaluated the course as successful and forwarded some recommendations for similar training in the future.The recommendations included to offer separate specialised courses on particular stages in the project cycle, as in for instance, e.g separate courses on planning or on monitoring and evaluation, consistent usage of terminologies, select participants with better English language skills, continue the pre-course and post training requirements, and a balanced mixture of young and experienced participants in the program.