Statutory Board Directors Attend Three Days Training
Service delivery, especially in Government and statutory authorities, needs to be enhanced, a Government Minister said yesterday.
We also need a greater level of transparency and accountability in our service delivery.
This is by ensuring that we understand our obligations and fiduciary duties to our customers, the organisation and Government. Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development, Premila Kumar made these comments while opening the 2018 Fiji Directors Course at Suvavou House in Suva. Speaking to the directors she said there was a need for people with skills who could drive the organisation forward.
Ms Kumar said the course was a unique tailor-made training opportunity for professionals with its succinct key message and facilitates healthy discussions on good governance.
“The training is designed to challenge statutory boards to set higher standards particularly in terms of adopting a much more comprehensive approach to risk management, diversity, change and the need to adapt to new technologies.”
She said the course modules would provide in-depth understanding on effective decisionmaking, legal aspects of directorship, financial literacy and strategy, as well putting the lessons into practice.
Adding this would of course help them in their own career development.
The three day training is organised by the Ministry of Indudtry Trade and Tourism, in partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) for the first time.
Ms Kumar said “The specialists from AICD provide exactly the type of targeted training needed by Senior Executives of Statutory Board and Government to realise their obligations (both legal and financial) and broaden their horizons.”
Therefore, she said the Ministry with AICD has designed a training programme, which is aligned to deliver the value of good governance, prudent financial management and effective strategies it take into consideration risk management, in order to achieve the Ministry’s broader vision of a brighter economic future for all. The programme will broadly cover the areas of Governance, Finance, Strategy and Risk for Directors.
It will introduce the role of a Director and the board in establishing the governance of the organisation.
“The training course will outline the duties, responsibilities and the rights of directors of private, public and not-for-profit organisations.
It will further examine board composition – having the right mix of skills, knowledge and experience to ensure that a statutory board carries out its activities effectively.”
“For Directors and future Directors, the course will build your understanding of the Companies Act 2015 and how to maintain compliance with the Act – whilst understanding the duties and responsibilities of a Director.
“It will give you a Directororiented view of governance, finance, strategy and risk in different organisational structures.” “As Directors and Senior Officials, you are bestowed with the role of ensuring that proper processes and procedures are followed within your organisation and Statutory Boards that you represent.
“This is therefore a great learning platform, which provides for interactive discussions and an opportunity to share, explore and discuss concepts and issues related to good public governance.” She encouraged the participants to learn as much as they can and share experiences and knowledge to help perform their roles in a more efficient and effective way. “It is your confidence, commitment and your hard work that will steer the fortunes of the organisation you represent and those you serve.”
Ms Kumar thanked the facilitators and organisers for providing this training session that will help the participants in performing their roles better.
“I hope that all the Directors, senior officials from Ministry, Statutory Bodies and FRCS following this training, will assess their processes and procedure and recommend ways to improve it.” “This training will no doubt enhance your knowledge and set you on the right path of your career development and aspirations,” Ms Kumar said.
The training is facilitated by David Evans and Jenny Seeto from the AICD who provides the type of targeted training needed by Senior Executives of Statutory Board and Government to realise their obligations (both legal and financial) and broaden their horizons. Mr Evans has over 30 years’ senior banking and finance experience across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
His executive positions with Westpac included Chief Manager Fiji Islands, Chief Credit Officer Western Australia and Senior Manager Indigenous Banking, Western Australia.
Ms Seeto MAICD retired as a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers at the end of 2017.
There are 26 Government and statutory body officials participating in the course.
The training will end tomorrow.