The Australian APEC Study Centre at RMIT University has undertaken successful activities in the PPP sector including a major training program, regional forum and workshop organised with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). The Centre has gained prominence in PPP activities in ABAC, its Advisory Group on APEC financial system capacity building, and is the provisional secretariat supporting the development of the Asia Pacific Infrastructure Partnership.
The objective of this Fellowships Program is to address concerns in governments and public agencies about entering into relationships with the private sector in the component parts of the PPP process. It will build confidence in the process and thereby contribute to enhanced investment flows in the region by exposing regional officials to best practices and deepening of their understanding of private sector interests in the PPP processes. It will enhance policy choices and the mechanisms used in the development, selection, procurement, financing and administration over the life of a project necessary for successful PPP's. By encouraging private finance, the program will ensure the effectiveness of public and private finance in development.
These goals will be achieved by the three components of the program:
5-day Leadership Training Course, 4 July - 8 July 2011
A 5-day training course at RMIT University to address modern public policy management and leadership practices focused on PPPs, including case studies and a simulation.
Professional Placements, 11 July - 15 July 2011
A five-day placement for each Fellow with Australian public and private institutions to be selected based on each Fellow's skills, expertise and areas of interest.
Site Visits and High-Level Roundtable Discussion, 18 July - 22 July 2011
Site visits to high quality PPP projects in Victoria over 2 days. Followed by a high-level 2 day roundtable of policy discussions involving ALA participants with Australian public and private sector experts and international specialists in PPP policy frameworks, financing, project evaluation, risk sharing, and building a PPP pipeline of quality projects together with a review of activities undertaken during the Professional Placements.
Overall outcomes include:
1. Enhancing the management and leadership qualities of senior officials in central and lead agencies in the region responsible for managing and implementing PPP projects through a well structured five-day executive training program at RMIT University.
2. Building Fellows' confidence in PPP processes by engaging with public and private sector Australian institutions and experts involved in PPP design, management, financing and implementation, through the tailored placements in Australian institutions over a five-day executive placement program.
3. The development of long-term personal linkages between senior officials concerned with PPP development and Australian public and private sector experts over the three week program.
4. High level policy discussions on procurement, risk management, project selection, financing options and managing through the life cycle of major projects through an intensive 2½ day roundtable dialogue involving Australian and international experts.
5. Enhancing understanding of implementing and managing projects in the economic and social infrastructure sectors through on-site visits over 2 days to major projects in preparation or in operation in Victoria's PPP sector.