Government officials from Botswana were in Singapore recently to learn more about e-Government structure, policies and strategies, marking the official start of a collaboration between Singapore’s e-Government Leadership Centre (eGL) at the Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore, and the Directorate of Public Service Management of the Ministry of State President, Botswana.

Mr Lim Swee Cheang (left), Director of Singapore's Institute of Systems Science and Mrs Taboka Nkhwa, Coordinator of Public Service Reforms, Botswana, sign the MOU paving the way for greater collaboration between the two countries.

In recent years, ICT has transformed government operations the world over. “Governments can use the enormous potential of ICT to increase their operational efficiency,” observed Mr Joseph Teo, Centre Director, eGL. “ICT can also enhance government transparency and accountability, reaching under-served communities.”

The collaboration between eGL and Botswana’s Directorate of Public Service Management is aimed at supporting the wider and more effective employment of ICT by the governments of both countries.

eGL plays a vital part in shaping Singapore’s e-Government landscape, providing professionals and thought leaders alike with e-Government education. By embarking on this collaboration with Botswana’s Public Service Management, eGL hopes to enhance its global perspectives in e-Government.

Similarly, by acquiring the technical know-how, the Botswana Public Service College aims to position itself as a centre for e-Government training. The capacity-building programmes being implemented for the Botswana Public Service ensures that the country will have a solid foundation to support long-term e-Government goals.

“Botswana is ready to join the global electronic community and the partnership with eGL is a step in the right direction,” said Mrs Taboka Nkhwa, Coordinator of Public Service Reforms and Head of the country’s delegation to Singapore.

Key to the collaboration, which was established in a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 12 April 2011, is establishing channels for sharing knowledge and expertise on e-Government.

eGL will provide the Botswana Public Service with resources and personnel to establish e-Government capacity-building programmes. It will also equip the Botswana Public Service College with technical knowledge in various areas of ICT.

The collaboration will also include joint training programmes for public service officers in Botswana and Singapore, and exchange programmes to facilitate the sharing of ideas by public officers of both countries.