Question : Foreign Service Institute

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS to be pleased to state:

(a) the facilities and training framework at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI);

(b) the details of special courses offered at the institute for Indian and Foreign diplomats and the number of diplomats trained under such programmes during the last three years, years-wise;

(c) the countries with which FSI has entered into institutional collaborations/memoranda of understanding and the details thereof;

(d) whether there are vacancies in FSI and if so, the details thereof including the steps taken to address staff crunch; and

(e) the steps taken to evolve FSI into an institute of world standards?

THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 258 REGARDING “FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE” FOR ANSWER ON 11.05.2016

(a) Training Framework for training of Indian Foreign Service Officers was formalized by the Ministry of External Affairs in July 2013. FSI coordinates with various governmental, public sector, and academic institutions for facilitating training programmes.

FSI organizes training for Indian Foreign Service Officers at various levels from Under Secretary to Joint Secretary level officers. FSI also caters to the training need of officials from Multi Tasked Staff, Lower Division Clerks, Stenos, Upper Division Clerks, Assistants, Personal Assistants, Section Officers and Private Secretaries. FSI organizes the training programme for foreign diplomats from ITEC countries, ASEAN countries and special course for friendly countries on request basis.

FSI provides hostel and family accommodations, a well-equipped gym, yoga room, swimming pool, tennis/badminton court, mess, officers’ lounge and a 170- seater auditorium.

(b)

S.No Name of the Course Period No. of Participants
1. Induction Course for Indian Foreign Service Officer Trainees of 2013 batch Dec 2013 – June 2015 25
2. Induction Course for Indian Foreign Service Officer Trainees of 2014 batch Dec 2014 – May 2016 33
3. Induction Course for Indian Foreign Service Officer Trainees of 2015 batch Dec 2015 – May 2016 31
4. Mid Career Training Programme-II for 1997 & 1998 batch of IFS officers 23 June – 11 July 2014 28
5. Mid Career Training Programme-II for 1999 & 2000 batch of IFS officers 30 Nov – 18 Dec 2015 23
6. Special Course for Commercial representatives 16-28 Feb 2014 24
7. Special Course for Indian Ocean Rim Countries and for Bangladeshi Diplomats October 3-13, 2013 29
Bangladeshi -14
Indian Ocean Rim Countries -15
8. Special Course for ASEAN Diplomats November 13-December 13, 2013 30
9. Special Course for Asia and European Meet Diplomats March 9-13, 2015 20
10. Special Course for Pacific Islands Countries at Nadi and Palau May 4-8,2015
May11-15,2015 16
24
11. Special Course for Somali Diplomats September 16-October 16, 2015 20
12. Special Course for ASEAN Diplomats November 18-December 18,2015 19

(c) FSI has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on training with the Diplomatic Academies/Institutes of 53 friendly countries (list of countries attached at Annexure) for cooperation in mutually beneficial areas of activity, which include:

• Exchange of information of structures and content of training programmes for diplomats.
• Identifications of experts in mutually agreed areas.
• Exchange of information on the use of IT in diplomacy.
• Joint research in mutually agreed areas.

(d) As FSI on the continuing basis organizes training programmes round the year, there arises vacancies on regular basis due to transfer, relocation and end of deputation period. FSI, in consultation with Administration, fills these vacancies as and when they arise.

(e) FSI has switched to competency based training. Training programmes are designed to update knowledge and upgrade skills required at each level for IFS officers. FSI makes every effort to update its training content to keep pace with GoI directives, improve methodology, use latest technology and ensure diligent use of resources. FSI also ensures that speakers of international repute are regularly invited to address and interact with trainees at all levels. FSI adapts participant-centric approach. Target groups of trainees are consulted at the program design stage itself to ensure that the training imparted has relevance to the functional requirements. FSI applies various training methods like simulation exercises, case studies, panel discussion, strategy games, role play etc. for delivering the course content. Trainees are given exposure to defence establishments as well as functioning of state machineries.

FSI has entered into Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with counterparts in other developed and developing countries. This facilitates in developing training design of international standards through exchange of information on training content and best practices. FSI follows international practices for continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) of training programmes.