Bahrain Institute of Public Administration (Bipa), which aims to develop public administration and training in governmental entities, has established a new organisation to help government administration in the region.

It is hoped the Middle East Public Administration Research Institute (Mepar) will improve the workings of the government and act as a reference point for the Arab world, said a report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Bipa director general Dr Raed Mohammed bin Shams said the group would be the largest gathering of public administration professionals in the Middle East.

"Mepar will be affiliated to international organisations as well as those in the Arabic-speaking countries, along with government organisations to help fulfil its brief," he said.

Dr Bin Shams was speaking during a Press conference at Bipa's office, in Seef, during which the 2013 Joint Congress of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences and International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IIAS-IASIA) was also announced.

The congress is being held at the Gulf Hotel's Gulf International Convention Centre from Saturday to June 6 and will focus on the future of professional management and leadership.

"Hosting this conference comes as part of an initiative to generate greater awareness on the crucial role of public administration in several fields," said Dr Bin Shams.

He added the conference would benefit the entire region.

"The positive impact would also apply to all Gulf Arab states and to the entire Middle East," he said.

Meanwhile, Bipa development and education counsellor Dr Sofiyan Sahrawi said he hoped the staging of the event would enhance Bipa's standing on the global stage.

"Bipa is one of those running for the vice-presidency of the IIAS for 2016, which will allow it to take part in public administration sessions of the United Nations and serve the Arab region to make it a regional reference for public administration research."

He added the conference would shed light on the role of women in public administration and feature a special session with some of the region's best-known female administrators. – TradeArabia News Service