REDC and Punjab Irrigation Department Conduct a Series of Capacity Building Programmes
The Rausing Executive Development Centre (REDC) at LUMS developed and executed a series of capacity building programmes in collaboration with the Punjab Irrigation Department (PID) and Project Implementation Unit (PIU).
The programmes are part of the ongoing Disaster and Climate Resilience Improvement Project (DCRIP) being implemented by the Irrigation Department with financial assistance from the World Bank. The Project envisaged a component to provide learning opportunities for the irrigation engineers and management personnel working on various management functions with the PID.
REDC developed customised learning interventions focused on organisational and individual development with three short duration executive programmes on the defined areas for PID officials, spread over six months.
Participants learned to develop a deeper understanding of the various functional areas including stakeholder management, project risk management, cross-functional team leadership, managing diversity for better performance, improved internal communication, conflict management and the principles of procurement.
Qandeel Zahra, Deputy Director Water Informatics, PID, said, “The programme described well the practicality of theoretical knowledge in our daily work life, and the management of day-to-day problems and risks. It was an excellent experience as project management is not a simple mathematical task but an art of handling technical and professional oblique with professional members”
Ali Haider, Executive Engineer, PID, called the programme “very effective in developing the basic knowledge about various aspects of work as well as the processes and their application in the practical and professional field. It is a very good learning exercise for government employees, especially the engineers working on various projects.”
During the closing session, Minister of Irrigation Punjab, Mohsin Leghari said that PID and REDC developed the programmes to foster leadership skills and managerial acumen amongst the programme participants. “The purpose of this collaboration is to develop and enhance the confidence and managerial acumen. We hope that the residential training has served not only as a team-building exercise but also helped groom you in the multi-dimensional aspects of leadership and project management, so that you can all better contribute to the department in the long run.”
This collaboration aimed to help PID expose its officials to relevant customised learning interventions that will help improve the overall organisational performance. These executive development programmes will help the employees grow their knowledge base and improve their interpersonal skills to become more effective for the organisation.