Department of Public Administration

This department was conjunct with the department of political studies named as Department of Political Studies & Public Administration (PSA). Almost half of the courses of formerly PSA was about public administration. The students showed deep interest to study public administration related courses. Over the years; demand of opening a separate discipline was mounted. Responding to this demand and realizing the contemporary job market, the authority has finally opened a new discipline namely Public Administration in 2005. The 1st batch students of the department start classes from November 11, 2006 in the session 2005-2006. Amongst from the faculty members in the department of PSA having Public Administration background started to conduct classes of this department. Ms. Anwara Begum, Assistant Professor of PSA was entrusted the charges of the Head of the Department of Public Administration. The present head of the department; Mr. Saifuddin Ahmed took over the charges of Head on 14th of February 2007 after returning from the University of Bergen, Norway completing the M.Phil Degree. This department has opened MSS programme in 2007 with 21 students. Now it has two MSS batches. The 2nd batch contains 32 students.

The courses in Bachelor and Master Degrees are well designed. These covers wide variety of knowledge. The contemporary job markets in home and abroad are kept in mind in this context. There are courses related to government and politics, administration of Bangladesh and similar countries, public policy, organization and theories, human resources, management financial administration of Bangladesh, security administration, environment, gender, human rights, regional as well as local government, NGO, public-private partnership etc. In MSS some courses have been templated from the department of Administration and Organization Theories of the University of Bergen (UiB), Norway. The literature and concept of those courses are very recent. There are a number of faculties having M.Phil Degree from the UiB conduct these courses. The main aim of designing courses of the department of Public Administration is to prepare the students for the contemporary competitive world. There is change of public sector in Bangladesh. The private sectors and multi national companies have penetrated almost all the sectors in Bangladesh during last one decade. These sectors require huge number of capable manpower. The department of Public Administration is committed to produce such manpower. The courses and teaching method have also potential to produce good citizen for Bangladesh. In Bachelor level students learn some courses other than public administration. These courses are English, Bangla, Anthropology, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Computer and database, Statistics etc. These are highly useful for the students for all practical purposes. There is provision of field work for 1st year 2nd semester students. For this purpose the department assigns the students in different government, semi-government, non-government and even private organizations to work on particular aspect and then prepare a paper for presentation. Thus from very beginning the students get opportunity to know the way an organization runs as well as works. In Master level about one-third courses are research based. All the students are to conduct minimum six credit thesis in 40 credit courses.

The existing faculty members are also committed to meet the aims of the department.  The teachers have ability to well establish academic relationship with the students and deliver what they need for the students’ benefit.

The department runs absolutely in a collegiate way. No decision of the department is made without formal consultation in the departmental meeting. At least twice in a month the teachers sit together and take decision in needful purpose. The students related departmental activities are conducted under a samity (society) named Society for Public Administration. All the students, teachers, staff spontaneously take part in the outward activities of the society.
 

As a new department, it has some limitations. The limitations are mainly infrastructural. The department has only one class room which is a bit away from the main building. The teachers and students are to be rush to present in the classes on time. Accommodations of the teachers are still very tight in the academic building. But the teachers and students have accepted and trying to overcome the hurdles hoping better future in the days coming ahead. All quarter of the university authority extend their helping hands whenever cooperation is sought for. Even the honorable Vice-Chancellor of this University tries to solve the limitations of the department within his capacity. All the teachers and students work together to establish the department of public administration at the level of all other well reputed departments of SUST.