Digital and Smart Governance, DSG concentration

The Master of Social Sciences in Comparative Public Administration (Digital and Smart Governance, DSG concentration) is a specialized programme designed to equip students with the expertise to leverage digital technologies and data analytics for more effective, responsive, and transparent governance. As a specialized track within Lingnan University’s existing Master of Social Sciences in Comparative Public Administration (CPA), the DSG concentration incorporates insights from key stakeholders across government, technology, and civil society who are driving digital transformation in public services. Students will develop strong communication skills and the ability to navigate evolving technological challenges in public governance. Through hands-on internships and capstone projects, they will apply their knowledge to real-world issues. Graduates will be prepared to serve as strategic leaders and innovators in the public sector, advancing digital and smart governance initiatives.

Aims of the Digital and Smart Governance (DSG) concentration

The DSG concentration provides an overview of how technology is transforming governance and the public sector. It aims to offer international and regional perspectives in analyzing the impacts of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, and the Internet of Things on government operations, policies, and citizen services.

1. Equip students with theoretical frameworks and international perspectives to examine digital governance.

2. Develop critical thinkers who can devise technology-driven solutions to public sector challenges.

3. Enable students to evaluate and inform policy debates on digital governance.

4. Build a network of scholars and practitioners committed to research and innovation in digital governance.

5. Enhance students’ policy analysis through comparative, regional and international policy research.

Programme Structure

Students are required to complete a total of 30 credits covering 5 core courses, 3 elective courses and capstone project to fulfil the graduation requirements.

Course Title		Credits
Core Courses	CPA509 Theories and Approaches of Comparative Politics	3
	SOC601 Governance, Management and Delivery	3
	CPA501 Policy Processes and Analysis	3
	CPA502 Research Methods in Public Management	3
	CPA503 Public Policy Lab	3
*Electives Courses(Select 3 courses)**	CPA505 Politics, Law and Digital Governance	3
	CPA506 Digital Analysis in Public Management	3
	CPA507 Digital Politics and Cyberthreats in Global, National, Market and Individual Contexts	3
	CPA508 Digital Governance in Public Sector: Management Issues	3
	CDS532 Programming for Data Science	3
Capstone Project	CPA601 Comparative Public Administration Capstone Project and Symposium Presentation	6
Total		30

*Remarks:

(1) The offering of elective courses is subject to sufficient demand and faculty availability and the Programme reserves the rights to offer the elective courses chosen by student.

(2) Lingnan University reserves the right to cancel the concentration course should the enrollment fail to reach the minimum required threshold. In the event of such cancellation, all students who selected it will be automatically re-assigned to the corresponding mother programme (Master of Social Sciences in Comparative Public Administration). Students will be notified of any such decision as soon as possible.