To provide a foundation for mutual development based on cultural interaction between Korea and other countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa, The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Korea is implementing the C.P.I.(Cultural Partnership Initiative). The C.P.I. operates 31 programs in General Culture & Arts, Cultural Industry & Media, Tourism, Sports, and Local Governments for the aims of promoting cultural awareness in such areas.

Among these, the Cultural Policy Scholarship Program is hosted by the KDI School. This program provides Master of Public Policy (MPP) courses to qualified officials from culture-related government branches. The scholarship recipients will attend classes at the KDI School until the end of 2007. During this time they will become more familiar with Korea through various networking opportunities and cultural exposure.

This year, five promising students from four countries were awarded opportunities to participate in the Cultural Policy Scholarship program.

TRAN, Nam Hoang (2007 MPP)

The official of the Department of International Cooperation in the Ministry of Culture and Information of Vietnam

The Ministry is in the process of improving cultural policy systems. Because the relationship between Northeast Asia and South Asia is my specific area of focus, I feel that it is necessary for me to observe the ways and mechanisms in which other countries approach policymaking. I am certain that the MPP program offered at the KDI School will be an invaluable opportunity to examine how the Korean Government formulates policies, particularly in the field of cultural industry. Afterwards, I am greatly looking forward to applying the knowledge and experiences I expect to have obtained to practice back in Vietnam.

NGUYEN, Ha Thi Thu (2007 MPP)

A researcher of the Vietnam Institute of Culture and Information, Division of Cultural and Information studies

The Vietnam Institute of Culture and Information not only conducts research dealing with issues on culture and media, but also analyzes case studies and devises solutions to help the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture and Information make appropriate and efficient policies. As an MPP student of KDI School, I am able to have the opportunity to know about the procedures of public policy making in Korea, especially regarding cultural policy. Learning Korean cultural policy at KDI School will also help me to establish cultural policy discipline for our institute when I return to Vietnam.

TANSURIWONG, Matshima (2007 MPP)

Marketing officer for the Tourism Authority of Thailand

Having worked for the Tourism Authority of Thailand for 9 years with the aim of boosting the tourism industry in Thailand, I felt the need to expand my knowledge in order to keep up with the changing global environment. Cooperating with different organizations and departments is fundamental to become a competent marketer in the Tourism Authority. Luckily, my needs have been met through courses offered at the KDI School that specifically cater to people working in organizations, like myself. I am confident that the quality of the classes that are available here will strengthen the skills I need in order to facilitate active cooperation and interaction with various entities.

TAMAKLOE, Geoffrey Deladem (2007 MPP)

Assistant Tourism Officer of the Department of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

The primary function of the Department of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is to build regulation policies dealing with the tourism industry in Ghana. I believe that the MPP program will help to provide the ministry with the tools that are needed to accomplish our objectives. In just three weeks, I feel that the KDI School has already presented me with insights as to how this can be done. By the time the program is completed, I am sure that I will have gained the professional knowledge I need to bring back home.

MIAH, Md. Jahirul Islam (2007 MPP)

Deputy Director of Financial Administration for Bangladesh Television (BTV)
As the only state owned broadcasting media in Bangladesh, the major activities of my administration revolve around setting annual budget plans and filing reports to support government policymaking. Learning about cultural policy of the Korean government at the KDI School will be an invaluable experience that will help me become an expert on drawing up policies in relevant fields. When return to Bangladesh, I will be able to apply my newly attained knowledge to my work, benefiting both my organization and my country.

By Yoon Sung won (2007 E-MBA)