Contributions of Collaborative Academic Programs on Developing Countries A Case Study of Master Program of Public Management

Abstract

Abstract. Since 2009, with a well designed curriculum, taught by high qualified lecturers from University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, Ha Noi (VNU-UEB) and Uppsala University (UU), Sweden, the Master program of Public Management (MPPM) - a joint training program between the two universities has been known as one of the most successful joint training programs in Hanoi in terms of high-quality and effective contributions in the on-going process of public sector reform in Vietnam. This paper studies the contributions of the collaborative academic programs on developing countries in term of capacity building for universities, increasing number of public servants holding an international master degree trained in public management and contributions toVietnam’s public sector reform which will increase transparency and promote anti-corruption efforts through public service officials for management positions. This paper also recommends conditions for a successful collaborative academic program including: the objectives of the program should be well defined for academic values, the collaborative programs should be organized well based on the laws and regulations of international collaborative programs in developing countries while they should still meet requirements of international universities and international accreditations, the collaborative programs also should be based on the curriculum and standards of teaching materials and methods of international universities but having suitable adjustments to conditions of developing countries.

Keywords: Collaborative Academic Programs, developing countries, Master Program of Public Management, University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University (VNU-UEB), Uppsala University (UU).