SEAMEO BIOTROP, the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Tropical Biology, conducted an in-house training session on administration and correspondence, underscoring the importance of cohesive administrative practices across various departments. Held in the Jati Room at SEAMEO BIOTROP on November 22, 2023, the event welcomed the participation of 26 staff members eager to refine their administrative skills.

The training was designed to reinforce the adherence to the guidelines and standard for correspondence in SEAMEO BIOTROP referring to Permendikbud No. 3 of 2021 regarding the management of official documents within the Ministry of Education and Culture. Correspondence or letter writing is a key communication tool that, when utilized correctly, can streamline processes and enhance the professional image of an organization.

The focus of the workshop was on the essentials of correspondence, an integral part of institutional administration. The initiative aims to socialize the standard format and structure of official documents across SEAMEO BIOTROP, in hopes of fostering improved communication both within the institution and with external stakeholders. The training sought to empower participants to craft clear, professional documents in both Indonesian and English, addressing various administrative scenarios.

The resource person for the activity was Ms Rima Febriana, who presented on the "Best Practices in Correspondence at SEAMEO BIOTROP." The topics covered included steps in drafting letters, language usage in both Indonesian and English, as well as case study examples.

Participants were engaged in learning the components of effective letters, including addressing the recipient, choosing the appropriate language, defining the purpose, deciding on the signatory, determining the formality, including attachments, and composing the content (pointers), related incidents, and contact persons.

The high level of enthusiasm among the participants was evident through the range of questions posed, indicating a successful session with a keen interest in applying these standards to improve the administrative and correspondence efficiency at SEAMEO BIOTROP.

The institution expects that this training will lead to a more streamlined and effective administration, contributing to the overall productivity and professionalism of SEAMEO BIOTROP's operations.