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The Department of Public Administration at the School of Political Science, International Relations, and Public Administration, National University of Mongolia (NUM), successfully hosted the NUM Leadership XIV International Conference: Capacity Development for Transformation on 10 October 2025 at the Novotel Hotel, Ulaanbaatar.

Since its launch in 2013, the annual NUM Leadership series has brought together leading academics, policymakers, and professionals from around the world to discuss public administration reforms, institutional innovation, and future governance challenges. This year’s theme, “Public Administration of the Future,” addressed how governments can adapt to rapid technological, social, and economic transformations.

The conference opened with welcome remarks by Prof. Dr. S. Munkhbat, Dean of the School of Political Science, International Relations, and Public Administration, Dr. Jürgen Hartwig, GIZ Country Director for Mongolia, and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Burmaa Natsag of NUM.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Dr. h.c. Stefan Hanselmann, Cluster Coordinator for Private Sector Development, GIZ Cambodia, on “Public Administration of the Future – Vision, Mission, Strategy.”

Dr. Dr. h.c. Stefan Hanselmann has made significant contributions to the development of the Department of Public Administration, School of Political Science, International Relations, and Public Administration at NUM since its establishment in 2011. As Director of the Integrated Mineral Resource Initiative (IMRI) Program implemented by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), he co-organized the NUM Leadership International Conference from 2012 to 2018 and initiated the “UB-Impulse: Expert Talk on Quality Growth” public lecture series.

This was followed by thought-provoking presentations from:

• Prof. Dr. Ali Zahid, Ilma University, Pakistan – “Comparison of Pakistan’s National AI Policy with the Leading Nations”
• Prof. Dr. John Duffy, University of Alaska Anchorage – “Public Administration Futures: Trends, Challenges, and Transformations”

Prof. Duffy has been closely affiliated with the Public Administration Program at NUM since 2017, serving as a guest professor and active academic partner. Over the years, he has provided extensive support to students and faculty, including the establishment of the Best Paper Awards, an annual academic paper competition that encourages research excellence among students of the Public Administration Program. His continued engagement has strengthened international collaboration and contributed to the program’s academic growth and research culture.

The morning session also included:

• Prof. Dr. Lee Daehak, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, South Korea – “Civil Society and Political Development in Korea: The Case of Three Presidential Impeachments”
• Prof. Dr. Holger Muehlenkamp, Rector of the German University of Administrative Sciences Speyer – “The Role of State-Owned Enterprises in the Past, Present, and Future”
• Univ.-Prof. Dr. Burmaa Natsag, National University of Mongolia – “The Future of Mongolian Public Policy.”

In the afternoon, participants engaged in three parallel workstreams focusing on future-oriented themes in public administration.

Workstream I, chaired by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Burmaa Natsag (NUM), explored governance innovation and strategic foresight. Presentations included:

• “System-Decision Making in the Future” – Dr. Uuganbayar Budjav, Mongolian University of Science and Technology
• “Public Administration Program of Mean Chey University: The Present and the Future” – Prof. Roy Rotha & Mr. Chhit Thy, Mean Chey University
• “Decoding ‘The Clash of Civilizations’” – Prof. Dr. Quanyi Zhang, Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs
• “Artificial Intelligence and Public Sector Transformation” – Dr. Altantuya Dashnyam, National University of Mongolia
• “Service Quality and Accessibility of Cultural Institutions” – Dr. Otgonchimeg Myagmar, National Art Gallery of Mongolia

Workstream II, chaired by Dr. Amartugs Tsenddavaa from the Civil Service Council of Mongolia, discussed civil service systems and ethics. Highlights included:

• “Public Administration and HR” – Prof. Dr. John Duffy, University of Alaska Anchorage
• “Civil Service Reform and Ethics in Japan” – Prof. Dr. Katsutoshi Ishioka, Keio University
• “Characteristics of the Korean Civil Service” – Prof. Dr. Lee Daehak, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
• “Defining the Size of Government: The Case of Mongolia” – Dr. Amartugs Tsenddavaa, Civil Service Council of Mongolia

Workstream III, chaired by Prof. Dr. Holger Muehlenkamp, examined youth, technology, and transparency. Presentations included:

• “Youth Participation in Global Governance Transformation” – Dr. Pan Xiao, Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs
• “Artificial Intelligence: Global Trends and Mongolia’s Policy Challenges” – Ariungerel Tseden-Ish, NUM
• “Generation Z Employment: Opportunities and Challenges” – Dr. Oyungerel Amaa & Dr. Sumjidmaa T., Mongolian University of Science and Technology
• “Transparency in Public Organizations: The Case of Sukhbaatar District Governor’s Office” – Mukhbat Norovjamts, NUM

A highlight of the conference was the launch of the new book “Public Policy”, produced by the Department of Public Administration of SPSIRPA, NUM.

The volume features 18 chapters authored by 24 scholars, experts, and practitioners from Mongolia and abroad, including contributors from the National University of Mongolia, the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, the Civil Service Council of Mongolia, and various public sector organizations.

The publication brings together diverse research and practical insights on policymaking, governance, and reform, reflecting the department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen evidence-based approaches in the public sector. The book is expected to serve as both a teaching resource and a reference for policymakers and students of public administration in Mongolia.

In the plenary session, chaired by Prof. Dr. John Duffy, discussants Dr. Stefan Hanselmann, Dr. Amartugs Tsenddavaa, and Prof. Dr. Holger Muehlenkamp synthesized insights from all workstreams and discussed future directions for collaborative research and policy engagement.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Munkhbat Sodnomdarjaa, Dean of the School of Political Science, International Relations, and Public Administration, and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Burmaa Natsag emphasized that the NUM Leadership Conference has become a vital platform for dialogue among academia, government, and international partners.

The event reaffirmed NUM’s leading role in fostering academic exchange and shaping the future of public administration in Mongolia and beyond.

Public Administration Department

School of Political Science, International Relations, and Public Administration

National University of Mongolia