Professor David Zussman knows the intricacies of public sector governance in today’s challenging environment. As holder of the Jarislowsky Chair in public sector management, he and his team see their work as providing a focal point in Canada for the study of new forms of public sector management. Zussman was therefore privileged to announce the first cohort of 24 students in the Graduate Certificate in Public Management and Governance programs, who commenced their studies in January.
Participants in the two-year program are sponsored by their federal government departments and remain in their senior executive positions while exploring key topics such as governance, public sector management, Canada on the world stage and evidence-based decision-making.
“Leadership development in the public sector is a critical area of focus and programs like this will help promising executives to gain the knowledge, experience and management skills required to effectively manage the public good in a complex environment,” says Zussman.
In addition to a series of stimulating lectures and cases, executive coaching at the individual and team levels, study tours of leading-edge organizations and an interactive e-learning component, participants will gain from the experience of current deputy ministers who serve as mentors to the group.
The curriculum design was led by James Kendrick, one of five visiting executives and Jarislowsky Chair research fellows, who went back to basic principles while designing a program that was also unique. “We designed a quality in-class product combining theory and current issues in such a way that will allow participants to learn as individuals, as members of action learning teams, and as contributors to their organizations and the broader public service,” says Kendrick.
The program has been well-received with a waiting list of potential candidates and a second intake in September 2007. Interest has also been expressed from other levels of government
The Jarislowsky Chair is linked to both the School of Management and the Faculty of Social Sciences. Its mission is to be recognized in Canada and globally as a leading-edge centre of expertise in public sector management.
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