Master in e-Governance

Master in e-Governance (MeG) Nepal Open University

Program Overview

The Master in e-Governance degree program at Nepal Open University focuses on leveraging information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve public service delivery and enhance democratic governance practices. This program aims to transform public services and increase citizen participation in government decision-making processes, providing both social and economic benefits. The curriculum covers the linkages between government, business, and civil society, analyzing their use of the internet and other digital devices for effective decision-making. The program considers historical, institutional, legal, organizational, functional, policy, and theoretical issues crucial for public administrators, scholars, and ICT practitioners.

Course Objectives

The course has the following objectives:

• Prepare dedicated IT leaders for the ICT-enabled development of Nepal with a global perspective.
• Build skilled human resources with problem-solving, critical analysis, and software and application development planning capabilities for the government.
• Produce IT managers with people skills who can successfully manage IT professionals with a comprehensive understanding.

Semester Guidelines:

• The semester system aims to enhance students’ knowledge, skills, and capacity continuously and in-depth.
• The normal duration for obtaining the master’s degree is 24 months, with a maximum duration of 72 months. Students failing to complete within 72 months must re-enroll.
• Students need to maintain 80% online attendance for both theory and laboratory classes.
• The pass marks for internal examinations are 60% for the Master level.

Eligibility

Candidates with the following qualifications are eligible for the entrance test examination:

• A minimum Bachelor’s degree in IT with II division or equivalent qualifications from a recognized University/Institute.
• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with two years of proven working experience in e-Government, IT, or corporate governance.

Admission Criteria

Mode of Delivery:

• The course delivery consists of open and distance (online/offline) and face-to-face modes. 85% of the course is designed to be delivered online/offline, and the remaining 15% face-to-face.

Evaluation Scheme:

• In-semester: 40%
  • Unit Assignment/Project/Task (20%)
  • Critical Comment/Review (15%)
  • Interaction with the Tutor (5%)
• Semester-end: 60%
  • Short answer questions
  • Long answer questions
  • Analytical/critical thinking questions

Curricular Structure

The program is divided into four semesters (24 months).

First Semester: 15 Credits

1. EGVN 501: E-Governance Principles and Practices (3 Credits)
2. EGVN 502: Digital Economy and E-Governance for Development (3 Credits)
3. EGVN 503: Legal and Ethical Issues in e-Governance (3 Credits)
4. EGVN 504: Communication Skills for e-Governance (3 Credits)
5. EGVN 505: Programming Concepts and Techniques (3 Credits)

Second Semester: 15 Credits

1. EGVN 551: Database Management Systems (3 Credits)
2. EGVN 552: Information Systems (3 Credits)
3. EGVN 553: IT Governance (3 Credits)
4. EGVN 554: Organization Behavior and Human Resource Management (3 Credits)
5. EGVN 555: Object-Oriented Programming (3 Credits)

Third Semester: 15 Credits

1. EGVN 601: Web Technology (3 Credits)
2. EGVN 602: Research Methodology (3 Credits)
3. EGVN 603: Technology Management (3 Credits)
4. EGVN 604: Software Engineering & Project Management (3 Credits)
5. EGVN 605: Research Project (3 Credits)

Fourth Semester: 18 Credits

1. EGVN 651: Advanced e-Governance Strategies (3 Credits)
2. EGVN 652: Data Analytics for e-Governance (3 Credits)
3. EGVN 653: Cyber Security and Policy (3 Credits)
4. EGVN 654: Emerging Technologies in e-Governance (3 Credits)
5. EGVN 655: Capstone Project (6 Credits)

Total: 63 Credits

First Semester Courses:

1. EGVN 501: E-Governance Principles and Practices (3 Credits)

   • Overview of e-Governance and e-Government.
   • Focus on PPP model, technology standards, managing e-Government, and implementing e-Governance.
   • Units include Introduction to E-Government, Current Trends and Practices, Managing e-Government, Technology and Standards, Implementing e-Government, e-Government Readiness, Emerging Trends, and Case Studies.

2. EGVN 502: Digital Economy and E-Governance for Development (3 Credits)

   • Introduction to Digital Economy, Digital Economy Ecosystem, Digital Currency, Building Knowledge Societies, Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Internet Governance, Effects of Digital Technology on Economic Activity, Digital Disruption Case Studies.

3. EGVN 503: Legal and Ethical Issues in e-Governance (3 Credits)

   • ICT Tools for e-Governance, Public Policy Issues, Cyber Crime, e-Contracting, Electronic Signature and Data Protection, Privacy, Existing Provisions of Cyber Law and Policies in Nepal.

4. EGVN 504: Communication Skills for e-Governance (3 Credits)

   • Foundations of Business and Public Communication, Three-Step Writing Process, Reports and Proposals, Oral and Online Presentation, Planning and Conducting Meetings.

5. EGVN 505: Programming Concepts and Techniques (3 Credits)

   • Programming Concepts, Introduction to Java, Fundamental Programming Structures, Objects and Classes, Inheritance, Interfaces, and Packages.

Second Semester Courses:

1. EGVN 551: Database Management Systems (3 Credits)

   • Fundamentals of Database Systems, Conceptual Data Modeling, SQL and Relational Algebra, Database Design Theory, Transaction Processing, Database Security, Distributed Databases, NoSQL Systems, and Big Data.

2. EGVN 552: Information Systems (3 Credits)

   • Introduction to Information Systems, MIS and DSS, ERP and CRM, Planning of Information Systems, Implementing Information Systems, GIS and Remote Sensing, Groupware, Recent Trends, Ethical and Social Impact.

3. EGVN 553: IT Governance (3 Credits)

   • Introduction to IT Governance, COBIT 5 Framework and Principles, COBIT 5 Enablers and Processes, Process Capability Assessments, Service Management and Lifecycle, Service Strategy Concepts and Processes, ITIL Design Transition Operation, Continual Service Improvement, Case Studies.

4. EGVN 554: Organization Behavior and Human Resource Management (3 Credits)

   • Organizational Behavior, Motivation and Leadership, Communication, Group Dynamics, Organizational Conflict and Resolution Strategies, Human Resource Planning and Development, Compensation Management and Performance Appraisal.

5. EGVN 555: Object-Oriented Programming (3 Credits)

   • Object-Oriented Fundamentals, Programming Basics, Exception Handling, Input/Output, Event Handling, User Interface Components, Database Connectivity.

Third Semester Courses:

1. EGVN 601: Web Technology (3 Credits)
2. EGVN 602: Research Methodology (3 Credits)
3. EGVN 603: Technology Management (3 Credits)
4. EGVN 604: Software Engineering & Project Management (3 Credits)
5. EGVN 605: Research Project (3 Credits)

Fourth Semester Courses:

1. EGVN 651: Advanced e-Governance Strategies (3 Credits)
2. EGVN 652: Data Analytics for e-Governance (3 Credits)
3. EGVN 653: Cyber Security and Policy (3 Credits)
4. EGVN 654: Emerging Technologies in e-Governance (3 Credits)
5. EGVN 655: Capstone Project (6 Credits)

Conclusion

The Master in e-Governance program at Nepal Open University equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field of ICT and e-Governance. With a focus on theoretical knowledge, practical applications, and critical analysis, this program prepares graduates for leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. For more details, visit the Nepal Open University website or contact the administration.