On 7th February 2020, Ms Lada Phumas, the Director of Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA) presided over the closing ceremony of the first stage of the Advanced Oral Communication Course (AOCC) Intake 16.  The 16 senior officials from 11 government agencies and state enterprises were awarded certificates for successfully completing the first phrase of the course which was held at the DVIFA from 27^th January - 7^th February 2020.

                 Phase 1 activities and simulations were designed to improve participants’ communication skills with the focus on speaking in public, giving presentations and expressing opinions in international meetings and developing effective negotiation skills. This helped build the participants’ confidence and prepare them for phase 2 in New Zealand.

                  From 8^th February - 1^st  March 2020, the participants will spend two weeks at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), followed by one week at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), where they will take part in increasingly challenging situations such as delivering impromptu speeches for immediate topics and handling difficult media questions.

                  The DVIFA has organized the AOCC since 2012 in cooperation with these two leading universities of New Zealand. In addition to enhancing English language communication skills, it is intended to raise awareness of international culture and build networks with the public and private sectors of New Zealand.