Diplomatic Academy
The MFA Diplomatic Academy was established on 1 February 2007 as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. The Academy aims to enhance the professionalism of Singapore diplomats and officials, and help them operate effectively in the world of diplomacy.
Last updated 7 November 2025
The MFA Diplomatic Academy was established on 1 February 2007 as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. The Academy aims to enhance the professionalism of Singapore diplomats and officials, and help them operate effectively in the world of diplomacy. The Academy engages senior diplomats and other civil servants, from Singapore and other countries, to impart their experiences, knowledge and values to younger officers from the Ministry and the wider public service. The Academy also works with private sector individuals and companies to provide customised training for the Ministry's officers. The Dean oversees the day-to-day running of the Academy. The Academy's structure comprises three sections - Course Development, Training Programmes, and the Administrative Support Unit - that work together to conceptualise, refine and run the Academy's various activities. A Supervisory Board, supported by an Academic Panel, oversees and provides broad direction and guidance to the work of the Academy.
Vision
To train and update Singapore diplomats and officials in skills and knowledge necessary for diplomatic and international relations work
Mission
To design and conduct professional development programmes to train Singapore diplomats and officials
Milestone programmes
The Academy has developed a structured training programme to equip MFA officers with the knowledge and soft skills needed at various stages of their careers in MFA. The various milestone programmes employ interactive teaching methods such as panel discussions, fireside chats, mock sessions and policy gaming to enhance the learning experience of participants. We tap on the expertise of senior MFA officers, academics, and other domain experts in these sessions.
Administrative Specialist Basic Programme (ASBP)
The ASBP is the foundation programme for new Foreign Service Administrative Specialist (FSAS) officers. It equips participants with the basic skills and knowledge to operate as technical and administrative staff.
Foreign Service Basic Programme (FSBP)
The FSBP is conducted for new Foreign Service Officers to learn basic diplomatic knowledge and skills. An overseas field trip is a key element of FSBP. Participants will see how an overseas mission operations and will interact with local officials and the diplomatic corps.
Pre-Posting Training Programme (PPTP)
The PPTP equips officers who are going on their first overseas posting with the necessary skills in tradecraft, administration, consular assistance, and media engagement.
Admin Specialist Skills Enhancement Programme (ASEP)
The ASEP serves to upgrade and update the skills of FSAS officers. It includes practice-oriented workshops on project Admin Specialist management and social media.
Foreign Service Supervisory Programme (FSSP)
The FSSP equips mid-level officers with supervisory and managerial skills. The leadership and management training module helps participants discover their management style, and learn how to coach and mentor junior officers.
Foreign Service Advanced Programme (FSAP)
The FSAP enhances the leadership and management capabilities of mid-level officers who will be posted abroad as Deputy Chiefs of Mission. Participants will gain a better understanding of national policies through dialogues with public sector leaders and policy gaming exercises.
Foreign Service Management Programme (FSMP)
The FSMP is the apex milestone programme for officers slated to be appointed as Heads of Mission for the first time. It focuses on the administrative and financial management of overseas missions to prepare them to effectively lead and manage their Missions.
Other training programmes
Short courses
Short courses, which typically last for one to five days, are designed to enable participants to acquire knowledge and skills over and above the milestone programmes. Short courses are divided into 3 broad clusters of: (a) Knowledge enrichment, (b) Skills development and (c) Leadership development.
Seminars
Seminars form an integral part of the MFA Diplomatic Academy’s training framework. Where opportune, foreign guests and experts are invited to speak on foreign policy and international relations issues. The Academy also organises brown bag seminars that are held over lunch. These seminars feature senior MFA officers or officers from other government agencies leading discussions on topical political issues and technology trends.
S Rajaratnam lectures
This lecture series is named after Singapore’s first Foreign Minister, the late Mr S Rajaratnam. One of modern Singapore’s first generation leaders, Mr Rajaratnam set up the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 1965 and served till May 1980. The Lecture provides a platform for keynote speakers to speak on topics relating to diplomacy and international relations. Past speakers include President S R Nathan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister Prof S Jayakumar.
List of speakers
2023 | President Halimah Yacob |
2021 | Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat |
2019 | Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon The Rule of Law, the International Legal Order, and the Foreign Policy of Small States |
2017 | Former President of the Republic of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam |
2016 | Former Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo |
2015 | Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Choice and Conviction - The Foreign Policy of a Little Red Dot |
2014 | Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong The Practice of Foreign Policy for Sustained Growth - The Singapore Experience |
2013 | Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam |
2012 | Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security, and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean |
2011 | Former Deputy Prime Minister and former Coordinating Minister for National Security Wong Kan Seng Lessons for Singapore Foreign Policy: The Cambodian Conflict |
2010 | Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Prof S Jayakumar |
2009 | Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew The Fundamentals of Singapore's Foreign Policy: Then and Now |
2008 | President of the Republic of Singapore S R Nathan |
Outreach programmes
Diplomatic Academy Special Guest Programme
The MFA Diplomatic Academy invites renowned experts to Singapore to speak to our officers on pertinent foreign policy issues and regional developments. Guests also meet senior MFA officials and academics from local think tanks to exchange views.
Programme for ASEAN Diplomats
The Programme for ASEAN Diplomats was launched to deepen ties among junior ASEAN diplomats. Participants attend briefings and discussions with senior Singapore diplomats on topics including regional developments, international issues, and operating in regional and multilateral settings.
Programme for Foreign Diplomats
Launched in 2013, the annual Programme for Foreign Diplomats (PFD) held in Singapore seeks to forge links between junior foreign diplomats and their Singaporean counterparts. Participants also interact with eminent practitioners and academics, who share their knowledge on Singapore and the Southeast Asia region as well as their personal experiences on diplomatic tradecraft.
The MFA Diplomatic Academy organised the sixth run of the PFD from 7 to 11 May 2018. 31 young and promising young diplomats from all geographical regions were introduced to Singapore’s foreign policy, economic policies, policies on land-use and sustainable development and other issues. They made several site visits, including to the Marina Barrage and the Singapore Aviation Academy. Participants also let their hair down at a social night out to mingle with their young Singapore counterparts. Besides learning more about Singapore and the region during the one-week programme, participants also forged friendships among themselves and with Singapore’s young diplomats.
The Academy looks forward to receiving the next group of participants for the next run of the PFD in 2019.
International engagements
The MFA Diplomatic Academy constantly improves its training courses and programmes. We visit the Diplomatic Training Institutes of our international counterparts, and participate in yearly meetings of Deans and Directors of Diplomatic Training Institutes. Besides benchmarking our courses and the training outcomes with our counterparts via these visits, we learn from each other and exchange best practices in curriculum planning and teaching methods. These visits strengthen the close ties with our international counterparts.
Contact us
For queries, feedback or just a friendly hello, you can contact us at: MFA_DipAcad@mfa.gov.sg or +65 6379 7925.
Address:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MFA Diplomatic Academy
Tanglin, Singapore 248163