DATE:
November 22-27, 2026
Venue:
Philippines
Type:
Study Visit
ORGANIZERS:
Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) in collaboration with the National School of Local Administration (NASLA)

BACKGROUND

The National School of Local Administration (NASLA) is an official training institution under Cambodia's Ministry of Interior focused on building the public administration and financial management skills of subnational administration (SNA) officials. Its core functions involve institutional development, curriculum design, and staff professionalization to support decentralization reforms and local governance. 

As part of its continuous improvement efforts, NASLA seeks to benchmark its operations, processes, and standards against leading local government administrative institutions in the Philippines. To support this initiative, thirteen (13) NASLA officials will undertake a series of benchmarking visits to selected government offices and institutions in Metro-Manila to observe best practices, exchange knowledge, and identify strategies that may be adapted to strengthen NASLA's institutional performance.

The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), an intergovernmental organization dedicated to Human Resources Development through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Asia-Pacific region, advances its mandate by facilitating the exchange of best practices among its member and charter member countries, including Cambodia. Through benchmarking initiatives and institutional collaboration, CPSC provides a platform for meaningful dialogue and knowledge sharing among stakeholders. This collaborative approach promotes the exchange of successful strategies, policies, and programs that strengthen institutional capacity and contribute to the continuous improvement of local government administration and TVET systems.

The benchmarking visit will involve a comprehensive review of the Philippines' systems and best practices in local government administration training. The insights and knowledge gained from these visits will support NASLA's strategic direction for continuous improvement, and contribute to achieving its vision of becoming a leading institution for learning and research excellence in local governance.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

By conducting a study visit at the best local government administrative institutions in the Philippines this benchmarking program aims to: 

  • Examine the policies, procedures, and initiatives implemented by the benchmark institutions.
  • Engage with the Philippine institutions to foster an exchange of ideas, strategies, and solutions that can be adapted at NASLA.
  • Enhance NASLA’s  positioning as a leading institution for learning and research excellence in local governance.
  • Strengthen NASLA’s credibility and appeal among prospective learners, development partners, and other stakeholders.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

The six (6) day study visit is expected to provide NASLA with valuable insights into institutional practices, capacity development approaches, training systems, research methodologies, and innovations in local governance and public administration. Through institutional visits, experience sharing, and theme lectures, the program will facilitate the identification of good practices and adaptable approaches that may strengthen NASLA’s operations. The knowledge and experiences gained from the participating institutions are expected to contribute to the development of practical recommendations that support NASLA’s continuous institutional improvement and its vision of becoming a leading institution for learning and research excellence in local governance. 

EMETHODOLOGY

To facilitate productive and interactive learning, the following instructional methodologies will be utilized to effectively train the participants:

  • Face-to-face discussions
  • Study visits
  • Experience sharing
1. Study Visit Components 
Day 2: Benchmarking and Academic Frameworks for Local Governance
  The participants will attend a morning theme lecture entitled “Benchmarking Local Governance: Lessons from Philippine Administrative Institutions for Strengthening NASLA’s Role in Decentralization, Digital Innovation, and Green Transitions.” This will be followed by an institutional visit to the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), which will provide an overview of its academic framework, specialized training tracks, and executive programs for local government leaders. The session will also cover DAP’s approaches to public administration and local governance training and research methodologies, evidence-based policymaking frameworks.
Day 3:  Local Government Capacity Development and Side Visit
  The participants will be visiting the Local Government Academy (LGA) to gain an overview of its mandate under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and training accreditation system. Their next session will take place at De La Salle - Jesse M. Robredo Institute of  Governance to have a discussion about local governance, policy review, open government partnership, and training programs. Then, the participants will visit Intramuros, Manila as part of the cultural component of the program.
Day 4:  Public Administration Research and Policy Development
  The participants will visit the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) to gain an overview of its academic programs and local executive courses. Afterwards, the delegates will have a courtesy visit to the SEAMEAO INNOTECH. This visit will enable the delegates to explore potential areas for collaboration and partnerships.
Day 5: Program Closing and Philippine’s Largest Shopping Mall Attraction
  On the last day, the program will conclude with the official closing ceremony. Afterwards, the delegates will have the opportunity to visit the largest shopping mall in the Philippines, namely the Mall of Asia.

DATE AND VENUE

The program will be conducted at the Colombo Plan Staff College, Pasig City in the Philippines from November 22-27, 2026. 

PARTICIPANTS’ PROFILE

The program is intended for thirteen (13) official representatives from the National School of Local Administration, Cambodia. 

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Program Supervisor Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja ([email protected]) is the 13th CPSC Director General and the 5th Director General who hails from India.

Prior to being CPSC’s Director General, Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja has served CPSC for 3 years as a Governing Board-engaged Faculty Consultant from September 2005 to September 2008. During his stint in CPSC he handled the Training, Research and APACC Divisions and the General Services Division as its Director.

Prof. (Dr.) Dhameja was a Professor in the Department of Entrepreneurship Development & Industrial Coordination (EDIC) at the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (A Deemed to be University), Chandigarh in India before he joined CPSC as a Director General.

He has held various positions at NITTTR including Dean (Academic and International Affairs), Head of Departments of EDIC, Information Management & Emerging Engineering (IMEE) and Chairman of Academic Cell.

The CPSC Director General earned his Bachelor in Civil Engineering, M.Tech in Geotechnical Engineering followed by an MBA and doctorate degree in Business Management from premier universities in India.

He started his career as Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering at National Institute of Technology, India in 1985 and has a total work experience of 39 Years of Teaching, Training and Research.

Prof. (Dr.) Dhameja has visited more than 30 countries including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Italy, apart from many countries in the Asia Pacific region such as Bhutan, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, etc. for conducting training programs and consultancy assignments. He has many honours and distinctions to his credit and has received letters of appreciation from many international dignitaries including Ambassadors, UN under-Secretary General, Director Generals and Secretary Generals of many international organizations.

Prof. (Dr.) Dhameja has published more than 40 papers in International and National Journals, presented 143 papers in International and National Conferences and has chaired technical sessions in many international and national conferences both within India and abroad. He is a member of the Task Force on Women and Youth Entrepreneurship at UN-ESCAP Bangkok.

Prof. (Dr.) Dhameja has authored and edited 22 books (Both International and National) in the area of Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Entrepreneurship and has guided 6 PhDs and many M.Tech students both at International and National Level.

Program Coordinator Prof. Rhodora A. Ulan ([email protected]) is a TVET expert and education management professional with over two decades of experience in technical-vocational education, curriculum development, and international consultancy. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs, majoring in Education Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Food Technology from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Her expertise spans competency-based training, assessment, and certification, with multiple national qualifications in food processing, cookery, and Trainer’s Methodology under the Philippine TVET Trainer’s Qualification Framework.

She is currently a Faculty Specialist at the Colombo Plan Staff College, served as the School Administrator and Assessment Center Manager at Keystone Technical Institute in Quezon; and as Assistant Professor I at QNAS, TESDA Quezon, Philippines. 
Internationally, she has contributed to projects with UNESCO, ILO, Danish Refugee Council and the British Council across countries including Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Jordan and Iraq, focusing on curriculum development, trainer capacity building, green skills, Smart-Agriculture and Irrigation; and skills for employment.

Her career reflects a strong commitment to advancing skills development, promoting gender-responsive and green TVET initiatives, and fostering innovation in digital and competency-based education. With extensive speaking engagements, training facilitation, and consultancy work, she continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening TVET systems both in the Philippines and abroad.

Program Schedule

 
DAY TIME ACTIVITIES
Day 1
Nov 22
(Sun)		 5:20 AM Participants Arrival
(Cambodia to Manila)
Day 2
Nov 23
(Mon)		 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Opening Ceremony
(Program Orientation)
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Theme Lecture 1:

“Benchmarking Local Governance: Lessons from the Philippine Administrative Institutions for Strengthening NASLA’s Role in Decentralization, Digital Innovation, and Green Transitions”

Facilitated by:
Prof. Rhodora Ulan
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch Break
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Travel Time
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Study Visit 1:

Roundtable discussion at Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP)

Facilitated by:
Ms. Charina & Ms. Sonali
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Activity 1:
Visit to major shopping attractions in Metro-Manila
Day 3
Nov 24
(Tues)		 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Reflections on Day 1

All 13 Participants will gather and share their key findings (Max 3 / 4 participants to speak) on previous day experience.

Facilitated by:
Prof. Rhodora Ulan
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Travel Time
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Study Visit 2:

Roundtable discussion at the Local Government Academy (LGA)

Facilitated by:
Ms. Chyna & Mr. Jovyck
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch Break
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Travel Time
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Study Visit 3:

Roundtable discussion at the De La Salle - Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance

Facilitated by:
Ms. Chyna & Mr. Jovyck
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Activity 2:
Cultural tour to Intramuros, Manila
Day 4
Nov 25
(Wed)		 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Reflections on Day 2

All 13 Participants will gather and share their key findings (Max 3 / 4 participants to speak) on previous day experience.

Facilitated by:
Prof. Rhodora Ulan
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Travel Time
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Study Visit 4:

At the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG)

Facilitated by:
Ms. Danilyn & Ms. Mehak
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch Break
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Study Visit 5:

Courtesy Visit at the SEAMEO INNOTECH

Facilitated by:
Ms. Danilyn & Ms. Mehak
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Activity 3:
Cultural visit to the Quezon City Memorial Circle
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Activity 4:
Visit to major shopping attractions in Metro-Manila
Day 5
Nov 26
(Thurs)		 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Reflections on Day 3

All 13 Participants will gather and share their key findings (Max 3 / 4 participants to speak) on previous day experience.

Facilitated by:
Prof. Rhodora Ulan
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Free & Easy
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Closing Ceremony
11:30 PM - 1:30 PM Lunch Break
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Activity 5:
Visit to major shopping attractions in Metro-Manila
Day 6
Nov 27
(Fri)		 6:00 PM Participants Departure
(Manila to Cambodia)