"The core of nation-building is, ‘people.’"

Beyond the political and geopolitical limitations of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region and Palestine, Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) has realized values that transcend mere infrastructure support. We proudly introduce the records of KDS’s tenacity in establishing the Public HRD (Human Resources Development) System, the backbone of national administration, and laying the foundation for these nations to stand on their own.

1. Iraq KRG: Awakening Self-Sustaining Educational Capabilities.

The project to support the Kurdistan Institute of Public Administration (KIPA) is a prime example of KDS’s concentrated expertise in public administration education design. We focused on establishing an effective civil service system based on Korea’s experience and securing the momentum for successful Kurdish development through the capacity building of public officials.

Localization of the Korean Model Based on Korea’s public official training systems and operational know-how, we established KIPA’s organizational structure and mid-to-long-term development strategies, laying the groundwork for the modernization of public official capacity building.

Development of Standardized Curriculum We produced standardized teaching materials for 20 core subjects, including leadership, personnel administration, and financial management, thereby elevating and neutralizing the quality of education.

Sustainable ToT (Training of Trainers) Model By producing 20 core faculty members, we completed a virtuous cycle where local instructors can directly educate their colleagues without the need for external support.

The master plan and textbooks transferred by Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) were immediately applied to the new KIPA campus opened in December 2017. To this day, KIPA continues to grow as a peerless educational institution in the region, expanding its training courses and the number of trainees every year.

2. Palestine: PNSA, the Heart of Administrative Education Recognized by the Head of State.

Even amidst national isolation and political instability, the Palestinian National School of Administration (PNSA) stands as a testament to the power of the training system established by Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS). The core of this project was to nurture innovative and creative leaders who could drive Palestine's mid-to-long-term national development.

Leaping into a Specialized Institution under the Prime Minister's Office Established as an entity directly under the Prime Minister's Office through a special law in 2021, PNSA now operates from a center equipped with modern facilities, overseeing everything from high-level leadership training to orientation for new civil servants.

The Backbone of Crisis Management Training Even during the complex crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, PNSA strengthened social resilience by conducting special training for approximately 4,050 individuals, including instructors from military, police, and civil organizations.

High Praise from the President In June 2023, President Mahmoud Abbas personally visited PNSA to commend the achievement of establishing a modern higher education institution and expressed deep gratitude for the transfer of Korean expertise and technology.

Currently, PNSA operates more than 51 training courses annually. By expanding international partnerships with countries such as France and South Africa, it has evolved from an aid recipient into a global educational hub.

Projects in conflict-affected and fragile states demand several times more patience and expertise than typical ODA projects.

Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) did not remain a mere assistant.

We respected local hardships and specificities, working together to cultivate a "sustainable system" that continues to evolve at the hands of local officials long after the project's completion.

The success stories witnessed in Iraq and Palestine will continue.

Wherever administrative innovation is needed across the globe, KDS will not shy away from any difficult journey, remaining a dependable partner that walks alongside the local community until the very end.