Public Services Internal Audit Conference 2025

  9.00 am - 9.10 am

Welcome Address

  9.10 am - 10.30 am

Adapting to Tomorrow: Future-Ready Internal Auditors in Public Services

The role of internal auditors in the public services realm is evolving rapidly in the face of unprecedented challenges driven by technological innovation, heightened stakeholder expectations, and complex global risks. What is the transformative journey that public services internal auditors must embark on to stay relevant, resilient, and impactful?

  10.30 am - 11.00 am

Morning Coffee Break

  11.00 am - 12.30 pm

AI in Public Services: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Evolving Role of Internal Audit

The public services are leveraging AI to enhance productivity, improve citizen services, and streamline operations. AI is increasingly used for predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and automating service delivery. This is aligned with the Smart Nation initiatives and National AI Strategy focusing on digitising services and improving public services efficiency00B.

How do we manage the tremendous benefits of AI with the inherent challenges it brings, and what does this mean for internal auditors? How is the role of internal auditor evolving to ensure accountability and transparency in a rapidly digitizing public service? What are the ethical risks and information security inherent in the adoption of new AI models?

Join experts as they engage in a thought-provoking discussion on these topics.

  12.30 pm - 1.50 pm

Lunch

  1.50 pm - 2.30 pm

The Intersection of Leadership Behaviour and Organisational Culture

Leadership culture, particularly "tone at the top" and "mood in the middle," heavily influences risk-taking behaviors and ethical practices.

Internal Audit’s role in assessing organisational culture is paramount. This presentation explores practical strategies for internal auditors to effectively navigate cultural assessment, offering insights into methodologies, risk identification, and leveraging technology to enhance audit efficiency.

  2.30 pm - 4.00 pm

Building Resilience and Preparedness Against Emerging Threats: The Strategic Role of Internal Audit

Trust in public institutions is a cornerstone of societal stability and effective governance. Yet, in today’s rapidly evolving environment, challenges such as financial mismanagement, cybersecurity breaches, and perceived lack of transparency threaten to erode public confidence.

What role can internal audit play in maintaining, restoring and enhancing this trust by fostering accountability, transparency, and ethical governance? What are the expectations of the Audit Committee Chair in public services?

Gain insights into the key trends shaping resilience, in public services and effective internal audit strategies through viewpoints of three practitioners, incorporating real case study sharing:

1. Cybersecurity: Addressing the rise of ransomware, data breaches, and digital sabotage targeting public institutions. What are the expectations of the recently released Cybersecurity Topical Requirement and how might this help guide internal auditors?

2. Fraud and Scams: Combating sophisticated fraud techniques and ensuring public funds are protected through enhanced detection and prevention mechanisms.

3. Audit Committee (AC) Expectations: What are the expectations of the Audit Committee Chair of a public services Internal Audit function? How can internal audit functions meet these requirements?

  4.00 pm - 4.30 pm

Afternoon Coffee Break

  4.30 pm - 5.10 pm

A Collaborative Approach to Effective Governance

Effective governance is paramount to ensuring institutional integrity, accountability, and excellence. This session delves into the transformative journey of the internal audit function of the Higher Colleges of Technology under the leadership of Karem Obeid, Head of Internal Audit. By fostering a collaborative approach, Obeid has redefined internal audit's role, positioning it as a strategic partner in governance.

  5.10 pm - 5.20 pm

Closing Address