Sarawak must prepare to leapfrog in transformation

Sarawak needs to leapfrog in the transformation from the middle income to high income economy as outlined in the New Economic Model in order to stay alongside Peninsular Malaysia with the advantage of bigger population, more present of industries in the economic development towards the year 2020 and beyond.

Bakun Dam

The perspective plan for Sarawak indicates that its real development will not be realized by 2020 but more so during the period from 2020 to 2030. However, the development will bring Sarawak in a transformation to become a more industrialized and progressive state in the country.

Sarawak is about 94% of the size of the whole of Peninsular with less than 10% the population, which is scattered over more than 5,000 settlements with distances of anything between 10 to 45 KM a part. And 60% of the settlements have less than 50 families. So it is quite a colossal task to migrate the economy from the middle income to the high income economy as outlined in the New Economic Model.

Bakun Dam View

However, Sarawak has the comparative advantage of having rich natural resources that can be developed and be valued added into a modern and vibrant economy. The development of SCORE will ensure that the resources can be optimally harnessed for the State to achieve the status of a developed state by the year 2020.

The State is committed to put more resources in educating and training people in the process of creating a society where the citizens are highly knowledgeable. The workforce must be trained to become more creative, innovative in whatever they do. History has shown that countries that invest in their human capital will thrive in their endeavor to build the nation into one that is strong and sustainable.

Bintulu Port

In this respect, the State has put in place a strategic human capital development plan with the primary objective to develop and supply knowledge based manpower to industries in SCORE. In addition, the State has established U-SCORE unit or entity, which is a consortium of Sarawak based public and private institutions of higher education. Its main objective is to project the requirements of human capital for local industries particularly in the implementation of SCORE and plan the human capital development program to meet the requirements.

Today, the State can boast of having one full fledged university, two campuses of national universities and two campuses of international universities. It will continue to encourage more higher learning institutions to be located locally in order to meet the growing demand of industries. There are currently 36 skills and vocational institutions in Sarawak.

Bintulu Port Authority HQ

Sarawak has progressed tremendously in the areas of ICT infrastructure development in the last 15 years. The State government on its part will continue to augment the development of ICT particularly in rural areas where ICT is still inadequate so that the digital divide between the urban and rural areas can be narrowed. It can be anticipated that the source of future manpower will come from the rural areas.

The State has been able to make a shift to 50% to 50% division between the rural and urban population. The proportion of urban and rural population must be increased in order to avoid facing serious shortages of manpower in future. Hence, necessary infrastructure and training institutions must be sited in the rural areas in order to motive the local people to move in tandem with the urban counterparts.

Sarawak, since the late 1980s has effectively computerized all major works. All offices are using the combination of technologies such as lease lines, wireless and satellite. A total of 345 sites have been established covering 11 administrative divisions, 31 districts and 28 sub-districts. The State has also developed over 100 ICT applications covering all types of works in State agencies. Efforts will continue to be made to enhance ICT capabilities particular the broadband penetration and inculcate a greater knowledge based culture and society.

Tanjung Manis Industrial Lots

At present the broadband penetration is quite low, about 17%, brought down very much by the low penetration in the rural areas as compared with the national average of 25%. With the help of the Federal Government, the State will try to realize the national target of 50% penetration by the year 2010. In this respect, the State government has a plan to establish the network through the wireless.

The State recently initiated its own multi-media super corridor or NSC Malaysia Sarawak’s initiatives in line with the national policy to spread out the implementation of the NSC to provide the necessary technology based infrastructure in terms of hardware and services towards enhancing Sarawak’s capability to become a knowledge-based economy.

The State recognises its own roles in nation building and strives to work for the continuous improvement in the development of local industries with a view to migrate the economy from middle income to high income economy today the year 2020. It will endeavor to play effective roles in shaping the future of the country with the slogan One Malaysia. 

Tanjung Manis Residential Area

It is over a decade ago since Malaysia started to make a big shift from a production growth economy into a knowledge based economy with different initiatives. With information technology as enabling tools, the knowledge based economy needs to be supported more and more by good human capital. The work force must be trained to apply new technology and perform great entrepreneurial skills. Sarawak, in its quest to transform the economy from production based to knowledge based economy, needs to leapfrog in the transformation in order to keep pace with Peninsular Malaysia with the advantage of bigger population, more present of industries. However to do so, it has to exploit rich natural resources in order to create new wealth and broaden the prosperity.

The development of SCORE will ensure that the potentials of the local resources can be optimally harnessed in ways that will ensure that Sarawak will be able to achieve the status of a developed state by the year 2020. Incidentally, Sarawak’s real development will be realized more during the period from 2020 to 2030. The new perspective will bring Sarawak in a transformation to become a more industrialized and progressive state in the State.

Tanjung Manis

The State will continue to encourage more higher learning institutions to be located in Sarawak in order to meet the growing demand of the local industries. The state recognises the need to develop a good institution encompassing skills and trainings for the local work force. There are 36 skills and vocational institutions in Sarawak. Efforts must be made to disseminate the finding of the knowledge contents in key economic sectors in Malaysia to the people. The State and the country must for the continuous improvement in building local industries in the process of Nation building where everybody has roles to play. The people must be prepared to play bigger roles in shaping the future of the country with the slogan One Malaysia.

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Job (Re-)Posting: University of Minnesota

UM has reopened its search for a part-time Temporary Ombudsman. The position is intended for a graduate student and applications are now due by September 15. (UM Job Site.)

Prior: Job Posting.

College of Southern Nevada Developing an Ombuds Program

Nevada's largest post-secondary institution will soon create an Ombuds program.  CSN's president, Dr. Michael Richards, blogged last week that an Ombuds office would be an important part of a revised governance scheme. Richards wrote, "I believe creating an ombudsman role to facilitate this communication and ensuring CSN has its own watch dog to make certain policies and procedures are followed will go a long way to strengthen faculty governance at CSN."

Richards also indicated that the Ombuds position will initially be part time. Other governance changes include increasing the compliance duties of CSN's general counsel. (CSN President's Blog.)

Binghamton University's First Ombuds Passes

Eugene Vasilew, an Associate Professor Emeritus of English and founder of the Binghamton Ombuds office passed away June 12. Vasilew, who was 89, served as the Ombuds from 1969 to 1973. (Inside Binghamton.)

Related post: Binghamton University Hires Ombuds.

Securities Broker-Dealers Indicate Dissatisfaction with FINRA Ombuds

Last week, securities broker-dealers elected three dissident representatives to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's governing board. The move signaled widespread unhappiness with the regulator's policies and practices. One industry expert said that broker-dealers are not satisfied with the results they get from FINRA's Ombudsman.

Ken Norensberg, head of Four Points Capital Partners in New York told Reuters that FINRA's members are "extremely frustrated" by the lack of information available and their inability to reach top officials about grievances.

Brokers at FINRA's annual meeting also approved, by a wide margin and over FINRA's objections, seven proposals to increase accountability including an external inspector general. FINRA opposes these changes and believes an independent watchdog would be unnecessary because it already has an internal audit department and an Ombuds program. None of the press coverage has indicated particular complaints about the FINRA Ombuds program. (Reuters; Project on Government Oversight; Enjoy Mediation.)

Related posts: SEC Affirms Role of NASD Ombuds; Job Posting; Externship Posting.

Penans being spoiled by foreign NGOs

Once I thought I would be quite happy to sit back and take things easy during my retirement. I did just that until quite recently when I become increasingly agitated by attempts by foreign NGOs, with the support of some local individuals, to smear the good name of the state. 

Penan students studying

I fail to understand, for example, why the nomadic life of the Penan community is such a big issue outside Sarawak, especially in Scandinavian countries. Thanks, perhaps, to a scoundrel like Bruno Manser, a school dropout from Switzerland, who has been trying to influence the Penans because of their unsettled traditional way of life, to live with him like Orang Utan. The authority should catch and keep him together with Orang Utan in Semenggok wildlife protected area or Lanjak Entimau Wildlife sanctuary in Lubok Antu.  There are lots of literatures about Bruno Manser as being a very lazy person. He is an outcast in his own society and tries to find fame and respect among the Natives of Borneo. He should go to the Amazon or Papua New Guinea where the Natives still cover their private parts with bamboo sheets. But why choose the Penans?

A Penan Village in Batu Bungan

In my earlier years in the Civil Service, I had opportunities to meet Penans in  Long Napir, Batu Bungan, Kakus and other places. What the pretenders of Penan champions do not know is that there are only about 500 out of 10,000 of them who still insist on living their traditional nomadic life. A big a majority of them who have decided to lead a more settled life like those in Suai, Niah, Lesong Bunut in Belaga call themselves Punans and claim themselves to be different from their nomadic brethrens.  Most of them are in middle income group like other communities in urban or sub-urban areas. The community can boast of having millionaires among the members.

Shahrizat at Batu Bungan

Generally, they are friendly but cunning people. I remember during a visit to Long Napir in Ulu Limbang in early 80s, we were welcomed in an open space under the hot sun. The Ketua Kaum (chief of the community) apologized that we had to stand under the hold sun because the government had cut all the trees. After that we were invited to their longhouse that had been built for them by the government. By tradition, the Penans don’t stay in longhouses but in makeshift huts. Their houses were dirty and unkempt with lots of dogs, which they regard as saviors in their life in the jungles.  Again the chief apologized to us for their dirty houses. They told us that the houses had been built for them by the government, which should also maintain them. That was not the attitude of simple minded and helpless people. They had been spoiled by pretenders of champions of the community, the like of Bruno Manser.  

Regrettably, the issue of the Penans has been thrown at the State without knowing that the State is at quandary of deciding what to do with the community. If the Penans are allowed to roam about like animals in the forests, the State will be accused by human rights groups of not carrying its primary   responsibility to help the Penans. Now that the government is try to help the nomadic Penans to settle down, some people in the West think that they   should be left like Orang Utans in the jungles.

Ezra Uda, first Penan graduate

What rights have foreign NGOs got to instigate the Penans to go against the authority, worse to paint an ugly picture of their state and country in Scandinavian countries?  As a local with my long years of exposures and experience in public service and established NGOs, I can safely say that most of the Penans have settled down. Some of them are earning good incomes by participating in the development of oil palm estates. Only 500 Penans are still wondering as nomads in the forests.

Penan millionaire - Hasan Sui

In early 80s, the State government introduced what was called Window of the World project to allow Penans of ages between six to 14 years to sit in the same class in school, something that was not allowed under the education law, but made exception for the Penans. Now the government can run normal classrooms for them just like other Malaysians in Sarawak. Now they are a number of them in the Civil service; some of them have become district officers or hold other senior post in the Civil Service. Generally, they are quite smart people when they can be brought to schools. Undoubtedly, they are increasingly becoming part of Anak Sarawak (people of Sarawak) in Malaysia.  

Seloma Jalong - a Penan businesswoman in Bario

The view on low logging and peat forests development being championed by NGOs in the west is nothing more than efforts to impede development in fast developing countries like Malaysia, the state of Sarawak in particular. For example, a study by Professor Shield of Australia shows that trees will not grow in perpetuity by not cutting them. Eventually, the trees will have holes in their trunks and die. 

Penan students in SK Marudi

They should be cut on sustainable basis, which the state is practicing, in order to get some revenue to build roads and develop infrastructure to supply electricity and clean water to the people. As a developing country, Sarawak, Malaysia by extension does not have the luxury of having well protected forests without some economic development. The State has been harvesting the forests based on sustainable management principles.

3 Penan students enrolled in PPKS Lutong

Sarawak, with a total land space of 12.4 million hectares, is devoting a total of 6.4 million hectares to permanent forests and national parks.  Very few countries in the world allocate more than half of their land area to preserve forests. The state is enforcing the forestry policy, which has been formulated based on the recommendation of ITTO,   to look after the forests on sustainable basis. 

Segi Nursing- Jennifer Kawas, Cecilia Balan, 

Joanita Aren and Esther Philips

Even indigenous forests are being harvested on the principle of sustainable management, which forbids cutting of trees below certain sizes. In layman term, it simply means cutting of trees varying from seven to 14 trees per hectare. It can be done for the simple reason that most of Sarawak forests are undergoing second harvesting process. Again not many countries can have secondary  harvesting of the indigenous species.

Christina Ubang of Long Win to Segi College

Sarawak is practicing both the sustainable management of trees and preserving the bio-diversity of trees. Most of the countries in temperate climate have done away with the second part of loggings; they do not have the ability to preserve the biodiversity nature of their forests. Now the State is trying to absorb more people with relevant skills and expertise into the timber industry to serve even in the remote parts with the overall efforts to protect the natural resources. 

Martin Willy Paren, sent to PPKS Lutong for 

Sijil Electrical Engineering.

The State is taking the necessary step to convert about 20% of the indigenous forests to be planted with quick growing species that can grow anything between five to seven times as compared with the indigenous trees. It can be projected that forests being planted with quick growing species of trees will be able to produce seven times more trees than the indigenous ones.  In other words, Sarawak can give out more woods in the next 20 years to 25 years.

 The development of green economic zone within Sarawak will form an integral part of the economic plan that will  stretch up to the year 2030 for Sarawak. The development of SCORE alone is expected to develop five trigger points Mukah, Tanjung Manis, Simalajau (renamed Samalaju) Ulu Baram and Tunoh. The development of those in Ulu Baram and Tunoh both in the interior of Sarawak will be agricultural in nature. Efforts will be made to encourage the local people to remain in the respective areas by encouraging them to participate in the development of timber and oil palm plantations and tourism industry.

Haini (2nd right)- Nursing Penan Student in Swk GH

For example, in the construction of hydro dams, every dam will create a lake that has got very high tourist potentials. Hence Kapit division, which can be expected to have two or three hydro dams, will have vast tourism potentials. The reversal of movement of population from Kapit will begin with the completion of Bakun and the development of oil palm estate in Tunoh. Even the people with good qualifications will come back to work and provide the grass root leadership among the people.

Roger Wang- PPKS Lutong

A number of articles in newspapers acknowledge that Sarawak has been able to attract large investments for the development of gigantic industrial projects in SCORE, an area about one third of its size. The corridor comprises the hinterlands of Ulu Baram and Kapit have huge hydro potentials that can generate more than 20,000 Megawatts of electricity. Besides, the corridor also includes Balingian in Mukah and Nanga Merit in Kapit that have about ½ billion tons of coal reserves that can be exploited to supplement energy from hydro power. That will bring the energy potentials to 28,000megawatts.

Octovia Matius (Long Balau ) 

to Kolej Yayasan Sabah

However, such a huge production of energy requires an integrated plan to  induce big investors to invest in high energy consumed industries like aluminum smelting,  production of mechanical pulp and paper, glass and sand related products.   The essence of SCORE is to marry the interests of consumers of electricity and producers of reasonably cheap electricity. The development of huge industries will necessitate the development downstream industries to support them.

Azlina Esak practicising inoculation.

The development of SCORE may require a total investment of RM330 billion within the space of 20 years. Its success will be able to boost up Sarawak economy to the level of getting five times the per capita income of Sarawakians by the year 2030. By the year 2020, the State will be able to achieve three times the level of GDP from today. That will give the State the ability to increase the present level of per capita income roughly round about US9,000 plus to nearly US30,000. That will fall in line with the overall plan to transform Sarawak economy together with the rest of the nation to become high income economy.

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pictures source: http://penantongtana1.vox.com/

Good financial rating by international agencies

I had a chance meeting with a friend, who was having a discussion with a group of politicians and businessmen, a few days ago. What can we expect from that kind of discussion? The politicians were of course very angry with the way that some bloggers had been trying to demonize the state leadership and the government to such an extent that they are portraying Sarawak as backward State under a corrupt a leadership.

Some bloggers go to the extent of claiming a certain leader had to sign a secret agreement with the family members about his shares in their business. But if it is a family secret how come an outsider knows and posts it in a website? The businessmen believe that the allegations being made against the leadership, some half truths or outright lies have no effect on the investment climate in the state. For goodness sake, Sarawak is a progressive state with every potential to become the richest state in the country by the year 2030.

Actually, the state is attracting a lot of investments especially for projects in Sarawak Corridor of Regional Economic Development (SCORE). At least RM30 billion has already been committed for the development of aluminum smelting plant, the pulp and paper plant and the exploitation of huge reserves of coal in Mukah and Kapit divisions.

My interest is to keep myself up to date with the events and happenings in and outside the country. As I have more time for myself, I read at least five newspapers a day. In the evening I pick my news from RTM’s Regional News, BBC and CNN. I also make it a point to attend meetings of State Legislative Assembly or Parliament whenever I can. I attended the last budget session of the State Legislative Assembly and took note of the fact that the state would be having a surplus budget for 2010.

Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is also the Minister of Finance, in tabling the budget says the budget has been formulated after taking into consideration the strategies and provisions of the 2010 National Budget and the global, regional and national economic scenarios.

The Budget has the following objectives

        (a) to generate a high level of economic activities in order to sustain economic growth;

        (b) to ensure a long-term financial sustainability with a budget surplus of RM161 million   in 2010;

        (c) to optimize the use of available resources like equipment, facilities and human capital;

        (d) to give priority to economic activities and productive sectors such as Commerce and Industry, Public Utilities, Transport and Communications, Agriculture, and Rural and Land Development;

       (e) to ensure a balanced distribution of development resources and services in order to narrow the development gap between the rural and urban areas;

       (f) to provide conducive environment for private sector as the main engine of growth;

       (g) To give special focus on enhancing the effectiveness of the State Government financial management and efficiency of the delivery system; and

       (h) To provide sufficient fund for the long term social and economic restructuring, and transformation plan for the state.

Clean Bill of Health

A thing of great interest to me was the announcement that the Auditor General of Malaysia has, for the seventh consecutive year, given a clean bill of health to the State 2008 Public Accounts. It is a commendable performance, which all Controlling Officers comprising heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies must work hard to sustain in order make Sarawak remains attractive for investment. The observations and weaknesses, being highlighted in the Auditor General’s Report, must be viewed seriously and take remedial actions to ensure that the weaknesses do not recur.

Sound financial position

More importantly, the State also maintains commendable investment grades during the same period. The State’s credit rating position is maintained at investment-grade status despite the global financial and economic turmoil. Moody affirms the State’s investment-grade credit rating at Baa1 with a slight revision upward from stable to positive outlook, while Standard & Poors maintains the rating at A- with stable outlook. The ratings indicate a strong confidence of the international rating agencies on the State’s sound financial position and effective financial and fiscal management. Nonetheless, the State must not be complacent as it is more critical now for the state to sustain the credit ratings to attract direct and indirect investments in a bigger way for the future.

The socio-economic development of the State has been achieved through comprehensive and balanced development plans. However, a good and comprehensive development plan alone is not sufficient if it is not being supported by efficient delivery system. Obviously, the State government is fully committed in ensuring that good project management principles be practiced by government agencies at all levels. The projects must be implemented smoothly The systems and processes must be improved all the time to enhance effectiveness in the implementation of projects.

Conscientious efforts must be made to upgrade the efficiency of transport and communications network, which is a prerequisite for economic development of the state. Enormous sums of money have to be allocated for such development, given the size and geographical conditions of the state, in order to bring it to a higher standard. The increase in public expenditure and private sector involvement in the development of infrastructure and utilities reflect the commitment and determination of the State Government to prepare the state for greater competitiveness.

Quite obviously the Federal Budget has also included various programs that have direct impact on the state for the benefit of the people. The projects include:

(a) Refurbishing and upgrading of schools, building of clinics, construction of rural and village roads, and supply of water and electricity especially for the rural areas in the State;

(b) Poverty eradication programs; and

(c) Access roads to Murum and Baram hydro dams.

The National Budget for 2010, as presented by the Prime Minister, Dato Sri Hj. Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, also focuses on advancing the role of the private sector as the driver of economic growth; developing high-skilled human capital and enhancing the efficiency of the public service. The National Budget with the theme of “1 Malaysia, Together We Prosper” focuses on the following three strategies:

           (a) Driving the Nation towards a High-Income Economy,

           (b) Ensuring Holistic and Sustainable Development, and

           (c) Focusing on Well-being of the Rakyat.

The National Budget also aims to strengthen Small and Medium Enterprises or SMEs. It provides a sizeable sum of about RM890 million for the implementation of various development programs , providing soft loans, enhancing capacity and branding promotion for the SMEs. These are the additional funds in addition to the existing six SME funds with total amount of RM13.4 billion being administered by Bank Negara. The SMEs in Sarawak should to take full advantage of the facilities and programs.

The government proposes a sum of RM2,777 million for Development Expenditure in 2010. It is committed to complete the implementation of projects approved under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Out of the total provision, RM2,249 million will be funded by the State while RM528 million will be funded by the Federal Government through reimbursements and loans. The allocation for development expenditure budget for the year 2010 will be made as follows:-

             (a) RM1,271 million or 46% of the total development expenditure is for commerce and industry sector. The projects and activities include investments, development of industrial estates and tourism. These also include development grants and loans to statutory bodies;

              (b) RM493 million or 18% of the development expenditure is for the expansion and upgrading of various public utilities, mainly water supplies in both rural and urban areas;

             (c) RM316 million or 11% of the expenditure is meant for improvement of government facilities to further enhance the government’s delivery system;

             (d) RM213 million or 8% is for agriculture, land and rural development sector. The provision is mainly for plantation development, drainage and irrigation, assistance to farmers, veterinaries, fisheries, agricultural research and forestry programs;

              (e) RM277 million or 10% of the expenditure is for transport and communications especially for roads, bridges and ports; and

              (f) RM207 million or 7% is proposed for social and community development sector, such as:

                      (i) Housing and resettlement schemes,

                      (ii) Sports and recreational facilities, and

                      (iii) Community and welfare services.

Budget Surplus 2010

The State must continue to spend within its means to ensure sufficient financial reserves to meet future challenges. More importantly the State’s financial position must remain strong and sustainable in the long run. Necessary steps must continue to be taken to improve the financial management to ensure the capacity, efficiency and effectiveness of the Financial System. In this respect all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must comply fully with the financial regulations and instructions that have been issued by the central authority. Stern actions must be taken for non-compliance as compliance is the key to ensure high level of accountability and transparency in the public service.

Financial compliance must be made a work culture in order to enhance the overall level of the financial management and achieve a higher level of integrity, credibility and accountability of Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Besides, all government agencies including all Statutory Bodies and GLCs must strive for continuous improvement in their financial management and uphold the value of accountability at all times. With the 1Malaysia spirit, Sarawak should get more fund for the construction of roads, bridges, development of housing projects, education, health and the development of infrastructure for the extension of water and electricity supplies to rural area. In this respect, the Federal Government should be sympathetic to requests for achieving the Key Result Areas of Balanced Regional Development and Accessibility to Physical and Social Infrastructures.

The state’s success to migrate from the medium income economy to a high income economy depends on efforts to upgrade the workforce and increase their knowledge input into their work. As the global economic environment will continue to be very challenging, it is critical for the State to adopt prudent financial management policy and at the same time maintain the tempo of development at a sustainable level.

benuasains

Friday Poll: What's Your Reporting Line?

This edition of the Friday Poll asks Ombuds about their organizational status. IOA Standards state that Ombuds should report, "to the highest possible level of the organization," but for many this was determined before they were hired or is not negotiable for a variety of reasons. If you're a practicing Ombuds, whether embedded or as a consultant, to whom do you report?

• Governing Board (e.g., trustees, directors, regents, legislative body)
• Chief Executive or President
• Other C-Level or Senior Executive
• Middle Management
• Other (please add comment)

As usual, the poll will remain open for a week and the results can be found in the comments to this post.

Prior Polls: What was Your Path to an Ombuds Job?; In What Organizations Are You a Member?; Embracing Web 2.0; Why Aren't You Attending the IOA Conference?; Do You Publish an Annual Report?; Preaching to the Choir?

Revitalized California Caucus Opens Registration for Fall 2010 Meeting

The California Caucus of College & University Ombuds will hold its 37th meeting at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California, November 7-10, 2010. Registration is now open for the event, which has the theme, "The Ecology of Ombudsing – Building Sustainable Value."

At Cal Caucus participants will learn, share, network, and develop skills and knowledge for Ombudsing as a profession. Confirmed workshop presenters include Lisa Neale, Mary Chavez Rudolph, Jenna Brown, Martine Conway and Kerry Egdorf, Mauricio Ramos, D. A. Graham, and Lewis Redding. The registration prices start at $550 for double occupancy and $700 for single, room and meals included. (Cal Caucus Info.)

Prior posts: New Website for California Caucus; Cal Caucus Will Not Convene in 2009; California Caucus Returns After Year Hiatus.

Job Posting: Cornell University

The private Ivy League university in Ithaca, NY is hiring an Assistant Ombudsperson. The part-time position will assist students, faculty and academic and non-academic staff in resolving problems.

The appointment will be for a fixed term: Fall 2010 through June 30, 2012. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree and 5-7 years experience in labor relations, higher education administration, or resolving conflicts or equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of and experience with Cornell University's culture, policies, structures and operations is preferred, but candidates must, "have no actual or perceived conflict of interest." No salary or deadline indicated. (Cornell HR.)

The posting--which describes the Cornell Office of the University Ombudsman as, "an informal, confidential and independent resource for complaints brought by any person at the University"--reveals a significant revision in the role of the Ombuds from a couple years ago, when a job posting described the Assistant Ombudsman position as one that "investigates, finds facts and makes recommendations for settlement of complaints." The website for the Cornell Ombuds office was significantly updated earlier this year and now references the IOA Standards of Practice. (Cornell Ombuds.)

Prior: Job Posting (2008).

How to Apologize

 Ombuds often coach a visitor to apologize or facilitate an apology from one or more parties.

Over at Mediate.com, Vivian Scott says that an effective apology has four elements:

1. Explicit details,
2. A demonstration that your regret is about your actions and not his reactions,
3. A promise that it won’t happen again, and
4. An offer to make up for your behavior.

Scott, who is the author of Conflict Resolution at Work For Dummies, says that a good apology can not only repair a broken alliance but it can stand as the beginning of a very productive relationship. (Mediate.com.)

Related posts: The Art of the Apology; How Medical Ombuds Can Facilitate Apology and Disclosure.