MEDIA RELEASE (27 Sept 2007)
The Department of Industry Tourism and Resources (DITR) has contracted the Australian National University (ANU) to provide the Master of Public Policy (Industry Strategy) for a further five years.
At the signing of a new contract, the Secretary of DITR, Mark Paterson AO, highlighted the benefits to Australia of ITR's involvement with the ANU.
"The public service must have the capacity to provide the most accurate and robust advice to government as possible, especially in an area like industry policy where the decisions can involve billions of dollars and the livelihoods of thousands of Australians," Mr Paterson said. "It is therefore vital that the advice we give as a department is at the cutting edge of economic practice and policy design."
"This program helps ensure that our staff have the skills throughout the Department to provide the highest quality policy advice possible."
Course content includes contemporary economic policy theories, developing industry policy, corporate strategy, and managing people and organisations.
"While the Masters is heavily focused on economics, modules such as corporate strategy illustrate the real-world challenges faced in the corporate world and brings an understanding of the private sector to the public sector; while the managing people and organisations course aims to make students better managers," Mr Paterson said.
Since 1999, the ANU has delivered the Masters program to more than 140 DITR staff members, and others from across the Australian Public Service (APS). The program is delivered by ANU’s Crawford School of Economics and Government.
"The fact that staff from other departments across the APS have also completed the course illustrates the value of the modules contained in the course," Mr Paterson said.
"This new agreement illustrates the DITR's long-standing commitment to staff development and policy excellence and I am proud that, as Secretary of the Department, I am able to extend that commitment in partnership with Australia’s top-ranked university."
For further information, contact Chris Butler on 0411 130 677 or email chris.butler@industry.gov.au. Photo available on request from Christine Klement,
02 6276 1679 or Christine.Klement@industry.gov.au