SLIDA called for a meeting with eGov experts in Sri Lanka to discuss the curiculum of MPM in eGovernment programme; However it became a discussion on why we should have a Master degree in eGov? Though most of the participants agreed that there is a vacum in eLeadership in government which demands for a master programme in Sri Lanka, there was a differnet train of thoughts.
We all agreed that this should be for Class III or II Managerial levels. If you look at Class I people they have got a master degree already and there should be diploma or certificate courses for them.
Dr Kanishka Karunasena who has a PhD on eGov (more importantly being a very proactive supporter, Kanishka sent his observations for this in an email to me), Mr Harin Gunawardana, the most experienced GPR consultant in Sri Lanka and Ms Samanthi Senanyake (SAS-IT in MPA) thought that we should first finalize the aims and objectives of this initiative should be carved out before embarking on to finalize the curriculum.
So lets look at the aims and objectives that were listed down by SLIDA.
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Aims and Objectives
Core questions to be addressed by this programme will include inter alia:
- What government functions and practices are changed by
e-Government initiatives?
- What are the socio-political implications of e-Government?
- How are e-Government initiatives designed and evaluated?
- How are public administrators challenged by such initiatives?
and
- What are the consequences for the relationships between
government and citizens?
- An examination of the evolution of information policy in Sri
Lanka
- A look at best practices in e-government.in industrial
countries such as the United Kingdom, South Korea, and China
Kanishka thought
that there should be a Purpose Statement.
Purpose Statement:
You all probably would like to include a purpose statement for the
curriculum by including the specific aim and objectives of the
program, the need of such a program for public sector, expected
learning outcomes, target audience, and potential career advancements
after following this program.
He also thought that
“What are the specific skills and knowledge an e-government
practitioner should have to effectively work in an e-government
environment?”
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Harin was more
aggressive to establish the intention of SLIDA in doing this!
Professor
Thilakasiri explained capacity development is the core business of
SLIDA and as there is a vacum and demand among public managers in
knowledge of eGov, SLIDA intends to fulfill its duty by providing
master degrees in eGov.
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However there was
no common agreement on the aims and objectives. So until the
committee meets on 2015-07-24 at 4 pm to discuss the rest lets try to
thrash out the aims and objecives of this programme pls.
Over to you!
