Perspectives and Practices of Public Administration in South Asia

This edited volume bridges the gap between theoretical underpinnings of South Asian public administration and practices on the ground to understand the future path of public administration in the region. The ten chapters highlight the post-covid contemporary trajectories of public administration and the civil society in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In addition, each case study is tied to a relevant UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), using the SDG framework to provide useful insights for transfer of knowledge and learning within the South Asian region and highlight the “South- South” and “South-North” exchange. Illustrating the unique challenges and opportunities faced by South Asian countries post-pandemic, this volume will be of interest to scholars and students of public administration, governance, South Asian politics, and the SDGs.

Akhlaque Haque is Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (US). Dr. Haque has published widely in major journals in the field of public administration, urban affairs and public health. Some of his work has won (or been nominated for) national awards. Dr. Haque led the MPA Program at UAB as the Director for more than 18 years. He has served in the national commission and executive leadership positions for NASPAA and ASPA. He has participated in Congressional Briefing on GIS and Public Policy in the Capitol Hill, Washington DC. In his capacity as a Fulbright scholar, Dr. Haque regularly leads international training workshops for senior civil servants from Bangladesh. In addition, he has led GIS and Public Health workshops in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He is a member of the Bangladesh Development Initiative (BDI), a think-tank dedicated to the development of Bangladesh. Yaamina Salman is Professor and Director at the Institute of Administrative Sciences at the University of the Punjab (Pakistan). Prof. Dr. Salman has a PhD in Management from University of Edinburgh Business School. Her PhD research was carried out under the supervision of renowned public management academics, Prof. Stephen Osborne and Dr. Tony Kinder on public management reforms in developing countries with an emphasis on health sector reforms in Punjab. She teaches courses on Governance, Public Management, International Development, Organisational Design, Organisational Behaviour and Qualitative Research Design, Methods & Analysis. Currently, she is also contributing to the Common Training Program (CTP) for civil service probationers at Civil Services Academy. She has presented her research at IRSPM’s (International Research Society for Public Management) Annual Conferences. Her research interests include design and delivery of public sector reform, political economy of reform, international development, citizen engagement and coproduction. She has worked as Conference Coordinators for IAS International and National Conferences. She is also Regional Editor (Developing Countries) for Public Management Review.