Director's Message

23 June 2005

Memo No. 008AB5

S 2005

For: ALL NEW IDMG STUDENTS

From: Director, Institute of Development Management and Governance

Subject: Welcome Message for New IDMG Students

Welcome to the Institute of Development Management and Governance!

The Institute of Development Management and Governance (IDMG) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños is an academic institution in the Philippines committed to building the capacity of individuals, organizations, institutions and networks for good governance and effective development management. We are an academic institution with twenty-six years of experience in developing sound and appropriate models in social development both from conceptual and practices of profession perspective. We have a set of faculty whose competence and experience come from a rich and diverse disciplinal background.

The Institute of Development Management and Governance offer two graduate programs, Master of Management major in Development Management (MM-DM) and Master of Public Affairs major in Local Governance and Development (MPAf-LGD). Individuals taking the Master of Management major in Development Management program will be equipped with the knowledge and skills on area development planning, public policy and implementation management, community resource management and program/project development. Master of Public Affairs major in Local Governance and Development focuses on the application of concepts, principles and strategies of local governance, management and development in dealing and managing public issues and local affairs. IDMG also offers technical and advisory services for development organizations both public and private. This includes policy advice, training, research consultancy and technical assistance, including project design, monitoring and evaluation.

The Institute of Development Management and Governance endeavors to create an enabling environment of learning and collaboration among our students. Our students are active and committed. As of May 2005, IDMG graduate have reached 304 for MM-DM program and 10 for the MPAf-LGD. Many of them have jumpstarted their career as professionals and practitioners in various fields creating a national and regional development network that gets stronger through the years. It is my hope that you will find at IDMG the intellectual rigor and sense of scholarship to assist you in meeting your objective either to advance your education or the contemporary challenge to serve the public.

(A Christmas Message for IDMG)

       Year 2004 has been a quite a busy and challenging year for all of us at IDMG. Whilst it may have looked to the public that not much was going on this is far from the truth. We wanted to make informed decisions based on a picture of how IDMG is likely to develop over the next few years. We felt quite rightly that we did not want to offer a “knee jerk” reaction to matters, which came up for discussion and decision-making.

       On the academic front, I am sure that those few of you have observed the faculty’s individual academic endeavour and engagements and the lively and involved discussions that took place during faculty meetings will confirm the faculty has not been idle. Currently, we are in the process of translating these individual successes into institutional endeavour in the future. Similarly, discourses are on going in strategically positioning our specialization of development management and governance.

       On the administration front there have been a number of important changes. I am sure you have noticed the customer-focused orientation of our physical work area, which is conducive to both learning and service. Similarly, improvements are on going in the administrative processes taking into consideration good governance principles, which we preach.

       On the national front, it seems the occasion of the birth of the Divine Child has something of an unreal quality for us as we celebrate our Christmas amidst the tragedy, which has befallen the Quezon and Aurora provinces, the fiscal crisis, the deepening poverty situation and corruption.  In crowded relief and rescue centers and a whole lot of the Filipinos will spend the anniversary of our Lord’s Nativity on marginal rations and, more importantly, without hope or purpose. The forces of greed, deprivation and corruption that haunted the manger in which the Christ Child lay, stalks us this very moment. As you prepare to celebrate Christmas surrounded by your loved ones, I enjoin you to think of the old story of the stable that saw the birth of the son of God and spare some thought to those who must share His trials this Christmas.  

       Despite all this, I would like to wish the faculty, staff and students and their families and everyone else living on or connected with IDMG the very best for this festive season.  Relax and enjoy yourselves (heeding, of course, the late Prof. Talatala’s sage advice about not over indulging!). Please come back to work in the New Year prepared for another year of hard work and changes.

Director's Profile

       Dr. Aser B. Javier is currently the director of the Institute of Development Management and Governance, College of Public Affairs, University of the Philippines Los Baños effective July 9, 2004 until June 10, 2007. Dr. Javier has a Master in Management degree major in Development Management (MM-DM) from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He earned doctoral units in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. He received his doctorate degree in International Cooperation Studies from the Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Japan.

       Dr. Javier is internationally experienced both as an academician and as a practitioner. His forged alliance and network with foreign nationals served him well in understanding the dynamics of international cooperation. He published numerous papers and research studies both in local and international publications. He served as resource person in forums for universities, local governments and corporations in such topics as enhancing human and institutional resources in both the public and private sector.

       As a practitioner, he served as consultant for private organizations, research programs, and in various international training. His efforts and expert approach resulted into the implementation of sound management practices and effective policy recommendations that resulted to increased productivity of staff, incremental employment opportunities and expanded endeavors.

       His skills and knowledge as an academic administrator was honed at the University of the Philippines Open University where he acted as the first chief of the Human Resource Development Office and Budget Office.

BACK TO TOP

For comments and feedback e-mail: IDMG Webmaster

SITE MAP