Ashgabat, 17 April 2020: Due to the prevailing situation of the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic, "Digital Management" piloting master’s program was decided to switch to online mode. This short term program is developed for specialists of information and communication technologies (ICT) of the ministries and departments of Turkmenistan with engagement of a group of teachers of the information resources management, state construction and management departments of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Belarus.

“The learning sessions are conducted in the well-equipped computer class with the usage of educational materials in the Moodle digital format, which created optimal opportunities for effective and high-quality conduction of classes for our students. The lectures are conducted by national experts in partnership with Belarusian colleagues via web conferences. Thus, we managed to avoid the loss of class hours due to temporary difficulties in international flights, "said Mr. Babahan Berdyev, National Coordinator for International programs of the Civil Service Academy of Turkmenistan.

Students of the pilot course discussed the importance of legislative regulation of the digitalization policy. With the purpose of establishing a legal framework for action, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan adopted a draft Law of Turkmenistan “On electronic document, electronic document management and digital services” on March 14, 2020. Therefore, the subject on the regulatory framework of the digital management was included in the curriculum of the course.

During the online session, Mrs. Tatyana Starovoitova, Ph.D. Economics, Associate professor of the Information Resources Management Department of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Belarus noted the importance of prioritizing the main tasks of the ICT departments and units of the leading ministries and departments of Turkmenistan. This work is necessary for the study and subsequent application of the principles of digital transformation of the economy and management. Also, advancement in this direction will help to develop skills in using modern information technologies and systems in the work of public authorities and administration, organizations, and enterprises for the development of electronic services. This initiative serves as a pilot and the source of useful lessons for introducing online education in the academia in general.

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“Digital Management” master’s program was developed and implemented in the Civil Service Academy of Turkmenistan in the frameworks of the joint project of the Civil Service Academy of Turkmenistan  under the President of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) “Support to the Civil Service Academy under the President of Turkmenistan”.