Institute of Public Administration

The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) is an educational and training institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, specializing in qualifying and training governmental sector employees to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties. It also educates and prepares students for administrative positions. It was established during the reign of King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1961 and is considered one of the first specialized educational institutions in the field of administration in the Kingdom.

The main headquarters of IPA is located in the capital, Riyadh. It is administratively affiliated with the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, who chairs its board of directors. The institute has branches in four regions of the Kingdom, namely Makkah, Riyadh, Aseer, and the Eastern Province. Additionally, it has several offices and departments that oversee its operations, along with a number of associated centers and academies.

IPA plays a prominent role in providing consulting services to both government and private entities in various fields such as administration, human resources, finance, law, and information technology (IT). Among its roles is contributing to administrative documentation for government documents. It is also involved in conducting research, studies, translation, authoring, organizing conferences and seminars, and training individuals interested in the field of administration and other areas through the 'Ethrai' platform. Additionally, the institute publishes the Journal of Public Administration and the Journal of Administrative Development, both of which are periodic publications related to the institute's scope of expertise.

The services of IPA target a wide range of beneficiaries, including students, and male and female employees. The institute primarily focuses on preparing government employees through short training programs ranging from two to five days, as well as targeted programs that can last up to sixteen weeks. Additionally, it offers intensive programs for learning the English language and specialized courses through its affiliated Administrative Leadership Development Academy.

The duration of the preparation programs at IPA ranges from one to two years, comprising two to four academic semesters, depending on the type of program. Upon completion of the secondary stage, students are awarded diplomas and higher diplomas for university graduates. The study paths and specializations at the institute include general administration, accounting, public relations and media, statistics, law, information technology, and more. Applicants can choose between free or paid programs for their studies.