21st Century Policing - Developing International Partnerships

From the northern beaches of Sydney to the outback of the Northern Territory, Dr Do Anh Tuan of the Ministry of Public Security experienced a range of law enforcement challenges during his recent three month secondment to the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM).

The visit, part of an Australian Government initiative under the ‘Australia Awards,’ allowed Dr Tuan, a university lecturer at the People’s Police Academy, to experience a range of law enforcement training environments from outback communities to executive police training.

During his visit Dr Tuan observed and experienced some of the AIPM’s top courses, reviewing different methods of training and assessment for executive leadership and development. Dr Tuan also spent time with Police Commissioners from various jurisdictions in Australia, including meeting with the Northern Territory Commissioner in Darwin, as well as visiting the outback Northern Territory to understand policing issues in remote and indigenous communities.

“To gain knowledge is very important when visiting and studying in Australia,” Dr Tuan said, “However the future cooperation of our two countries is perhaps more important. I hope to be a small bridge to link between the two, and will try to contribute to the development of cooperation in the future.”

Mr Tom Rogers, Executive Director of AIPM, says Dr Tuan was an excellent ambassador for the People’s Police Academy and for Vietnam.

“Dr Tuan participated in the AIPM’s daily operations, and made significant contributions to the AIPM,” Mr Rogers said. “I strongly believe that this has been a valuable experience for both him and the AIPM, and I very much look forward to continuing this important relationship with the Vietnamese People’s Police Academy and Ministry of Public Security well into the future.”

Dr Tuan was the recipient of a scholarship as part of the ‘Australia Awards’ program. A key focus of the scholarship program is improving the capacity of Vietnam’s public service and strengthening government-to-government links.

Sally Burnard, Counsellor for Education at the Australian Embassy in Hanoi, said, “Attachments, such as that undertaken by Dr Tuan at the AIPM, benefit both Vietnam and Australia, providing opportunities for exchanges of ideas, better understanding of professional challenges and the development of linkages between institutions and people.”

Applications for the next round of Australia Awards open on 1 December 2010 and close on 31 January 2011. Further information can be found at www.endeavour.deewr.gov.au or please contact Ms Tran Le Ha, email: [email protected], phone: (+84) 4. 3 831 7755 EXT 138.