Digital Transformation and Sustainability in South Asia (South Asian Public Administration)

South Asia has been experiencing a rapid digital transformation with huge impacts across its economic, governance, and social arenas. With the fast-paced technological evolution, various government initiatives, and emerging economic requirements, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and other South Asian countries are unprecedently shifting to digitalization following the developed nations worldwide. Yet, while this transformation creates many opportunities, it also presents challenges and threats, including concerns about regulation, gaps in digital inclusion, governance efficiency, cybersecurity risks, and the sustainability of digitalization.

This book explores and analyzes how digital transformation is shaping South Asia’s economic resilience, governance models, sustainability efforts, and economic equity. By presenting and analyzing case policy frameworks, and empirical studies, the volume will build a solid understanding of digital governance, financial inclusion, AI integration, cybersecurity challenges, and sustainable innovations across the region. By exploring governance innovation, financial risks, AI applications, and sustainability challenges, this volume will serve as a resource and guidebook for policymakers and researchers interested in navigating this region and other regions’ digital future worldwide.

Parvaz Azharul Huq is a Professor and ex-chair in the Department of Public Administration, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. He was also the Director of the Centre for Governance and Development Studies (CGDS). He holds a PhD from Flinders University, Australia, and an MA in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands. Dr. Huq has worked as a visiting researcher and scholar for the University of London, Brown University, and Shanghai International Studies University, among others. He has devoted himself to undertaking wide-ranging research in the field of governance and development and has published articles in refereed journals and chapters in peer-reviewed books. He has experience working with various local and international organizations, i.e., the World Bank and Orbis International, and has completed various research projects. He is an active member of several international professional groups and networks. He has presented scholarly papers at various national and international conferences.

Dr. Md Shafiul Islam is a Professor in the Department of Public Administration, University of Rajshahi. He did his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in good governance. In the last 20 years of teaching and research, Professor Islam has published over 25 articles and book chapters from reputed national and international publishing houses. Dr. Islam has already conducted about 32 research projects funded by the World Bank, UNESCO, the Ministry of Public Administration, the Ministry of Education, and so on. He was a visiting scholar at the Institute of Higher Education at Beijing Normal University, China, in 2017.His research interests include development, good governance, local government, rural development, education, SDG, 4iR, TVET, media, NIS, PPP, etc. Before joining the university as a faculty member, Mr. Islam worked as a journalist for several national English and Bengali newspapers in Bangladesh. He is a regular column writer for several national newspapers.

Dr. Amani Moazzam is an Assistant Professor in the Institute of Administrative Sciences (IAS), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. With a strong academic background and a deep commitment to public administration and policy studies, Dr. Moazzam has served the University of Punjab for over a decade with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Dr. Moazzam holds a PhD in Administrative Sciences, and her academic expertise spans a range of areas, including governance, public sector management, and organizational behavior. She is particularly interested in examining the intersection of gender, public sector management, and institutional reform, emphasizing public service delivery in Pakistan. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, inspiring students to critically engage with the complexities of public administration in a rapidly changing world. She has diverse experience in supervising students at MS and PhD levels. She is also the Managing Editor of a research journal Governance and Management Review (GMR).