Public Administration Education in Pakistan: Does It Add Value in the Public Interest?

Abstract

This study examined outcomes of public service education in Pakistan. Building on existing models for assessing such programs, we evaluated short-term, intermediate, and long-term outcomes. MPA student perceptions were recorded from the two universities of Pakistan offering the largest MPA programs. Short-term outcomes were encouraging: Students showed higher levels of satisfaction with program goals, curriculum, and instructional techniques. Results of intermediate outcomes also are promising: Students showed complete satisfaction with learning and building competencies required in the workplace. Results of long-term outcomes, however, indicate a challenge. Although long-term outcomes are not easy to assess, examining them in a South Asian country characterized by a politicized bureaucracy and centralized public administration authority is even more challenging. The public affairs administrative systems and education programs work in isolation in Pakistan. Students reported a strong desire to develop systems that encourage them using the knowledge and skills they acquired during their MPA programs.

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