On July 29, IITU in cooperation with the High School of Public Administration of Seoul National University (SNU) conducted a round table on the topic “Improving the Efficiency of the Public Service Through Digital Transformation: Development of Digital Policy and Analytical Skills.”

Professor Ko and other representatives of SNU shared their experience as South Korea is one of the leading countries in digitalizing the public sector. SNU is ranked 31st in the QS World University Rankings (2024), and its Graduate School of Public Administration (SNU GSPA) is ranked 26th in Public Administration in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. As of 2024, more than 100 SNU graduates work in the government of the Republic of Korea, among them: prime minister, deputy prime minister, 20 ministers and 73 vice ministers.

“Today, the public service requires a review of the competencies necessary for the conditions of rapidly developing technologies. Digital skills have become one of the key competencies of civil servants. The low level of digital literacy hinders the development of digital processes in our country. The expert community insists on an urgent solution to this problem and emphasizes the importance of acquiring new digital skills for the effective performance of official duties,” A.K. Khikmetov the rector of IITU noted.

The event was attended by Maksat Turlubaev, a representative of the Bureau of National Statistics, Maria Shklyaruk, a representative of the Aurora Ala Foundation and the European University, Ulan Abdilkailuly Bekish - vice-rector for corporate and financial activities of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aliya Kalkamanovna Ospanova - the chairman of the board of the Center for International Programs JSC, Professor Kilkon Ko - a representative of Seoul National University (SNU).

The round table discussion ended with the summary of the further steps to implement digital solutions in the public service. Professor Kilkon Ko received a letter of gratitude from IITU. Participants were guided with practical recommendations and strategies for introducing digital technologies in the management of government programs.