Electronic Government - International Master Program, 80 credit points (120 ECTS credits)
at Örebro University Sweden

Name:Styliani Zafeiropoulou
Country: Greece

Why did you chose to study the eGovernment master at Örebro University?
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Name:Jamo Macanze
Country: Mozambique

Why did you chose to study the eGovernment master at Örebro University?
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Name:Md.Rizvee Bhuyan
Country: Bangladesh

Why did you chose to study the eGovernment master at Örebro University?
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Name: Ovid Boyd
Country: USA

Why did you chose to study the eGovernment master at Örebro University?
Two main things drew me to the eGovernment program at Örebro University. For one, it is a very unique program. I knew I wanted to study how ICT could be used to strengthen democracy, but it was hard to know in what field or program I could learn about democracy and technology. When I found the eGovernment program, it was hard to imagine something more suitable so I jumped at the opportunity. Secondly, the free tuition in Sweden was very important for me choosing this program. If it wasn't for that, I may have had to wait a couple years before I could even think about getting a master's degree.

What is your opinion about the program?
Both the program and field of eGovernment are brand new so the program is and feels very experimental. This does have some drawbacks but also means you are studying something interesting and new!
Namely, the program is very rough. The field of eGovernment doesn't have a history of norms and standards to draw from and there aren't other comparable programs to base this one on - so what should be taught in an eGovernment program and how should you teach it? I expect the program will change as time goes on.
However, this means you can study in a new field. The program may be flexible enough to allow for a variety of different interests and classes may end up being shaped more to fit the interests of students than more established fields.
Finally, although the program is new, it is well connected to the eGovernment field. Our teachers are very present in conferences and workshops in the field. They have even got some held in Örebro. There are a number PhD students at the department and good connections to other programs like SPIDER or DEMO-net.

How is it to live and study in Örebro?
It was nice to move to the nice small town of Örebro after living in the crowded polluted metropolis of Beijing for some years. I remember how happy I was to get off the plane and see the white clouds in the blue sky! I like that the University is right next to the woods.
While food is expensive in Sweden, housing is actually quite reasonable - about the same as Beijing at least. It is possible to get a part-time job while studying in our program - much of the program involves self-study, so you can flexibly do it around a job schedule.
Swedish people tend to have amazingly good English - I have never been to a country where the people have such a widespread mastery of a second language before. You won't have problems communicating in English.
You'll have to see how Swedish culture suits you yourself, but, if you do really like it here, I believe studying in the program would actually be a good stepping stone to more permanent immigration. Despite the fact on the visa form you have to promise to leave after graduation, I believe there would be opportunities for continuing studies or working here for those who pursue it. I have several friends who began as students here and are now Swedish citizens.

Name: Shafiq Shamsur Razzaq
Country: Bangladesh

Why did you chose to study the eGovernment master at Örebro University?
Since my undergraduate thesis, I had the opportunity to work on a project named 'Bangladesh Virtual Class Room' where Örebro University is a partner Organization with BRAC University, Bangladesh. During my research work, I have realized that I need in-dept knowledge in the field of ICT to extend my research. After a while, I heard from one of my project member that Örebro University was opened an International Master Program called 'Electronic Government'. She motivated me to apply for this program, as my plan was to establish my career in the field of ICT4D.

What is your opinion about the program?
eGovernment is a new phenomena and the program seems to me experimental. However, I believe that it has a very promising future. The program contains a wide range of courses, which belong to the field of eGovernment and focuses eGovernment in the context of developing countries. After completing first year study, I can say that this program helps me to visualize the problem more widely. It enables me to understand problems in respect to specific theory and draw the solution with an appropriate technology

How is it to live and study in Örebro?
I believe that study abroad is always something new and exciting. Before I came to Sweden I did not know how to cook but now I can manage cooking. Here everyday I have new experiences and meet with new people which is interesting. I have learnt a lot from Sweden. I am living at student apartment, which is inside the University Campus. From this place, you can go to any destination frequently. The natural beauty of Örebro is nice. In one sentence, I love it. The atmosphere of Örebro is good enough for study. Lastly, Örebro is expensive (food, accommodation) for those who come from developing countries.

Name: Morfaw D Zigo
Country: Cameroon

Why did you chose to study the eGovernment master at Örebro University?
A number of reasons motivated me to choose the programme eGovernment at Örebro University. After I completed my first degree, I was filled with an insatiable desire to do graduate studies and I saw eGovernment as a programme I could specialise in. It was related to my undergraduate programme (Political Science). The University was the only university I found at the time, which offered the programme and also gave room for doctoral studies after graduation. I equally found the staff interesting, especially professor Ĺke Grönlund, who is an expert in eGovernment. Also, this programme was new and I thought being a pioneer would offer many opportunities after graduation such as greater demand for my services and research into new areas that had never before been attempted. Moreover, I found out Örebro is a beautiful city, small, located in the middle of Sweden, close to the biggest cities of Stockholm and Göteborg, welcoming, cheaper, with biking the most common way of getting around. Education in Sweden and consequently Örebro, was free and Sweden was known as one of the most peaceful, most secured and welcoming countries in the world. These were factors that could not be overlooked.

What is your opinion about the program?
Before I applied to study Electronic Government, I had some ideas and expectations about the program. The programme turned out to be what I expected, although with some major differences. Most lectures are interesting as students and teachers collectively deliberate and debate on central issues in eGovernment and related disciplines. The courses have so far been understood. The programme has been well handled. I believe if I leave the programme today, I would be proud that I attended a good programme, that I have achieved something, and something that I would marvellously benefit from, by harnessing the knowledge I have acquired in the program to re-engineer my life and dreams for the future. However, like most pioneers, I must say we face some difficulties and shortcomings, which have and would be addressed with the help of our continuous evaluation of each and every course and teacher we come across.

How is it to live and study in Örebro?
I arrived in Örebro very early in the morning of August 21st, 2006. It was a very cold morning. Although the rays of the sun were struggling to shine, I felt like I was already frozen. The temperature was less than 3 degrees Centigrade. I was in a traditional dress I had purchased specifically for my journey to Europe. I did not know anybody in Örebro. I could not speak the language, even to say "hej"! And as I walked about in this city of great walls, very far away from home, I kept asking myself if I will ever make it in this strange land. I became home sick and regretted why I had left my country. I felt so bad when I heard the city was a 'difficult' one. When you are a master student and a 'free mover', with no financial support from the government of your country or that of Sweden, you easily learn to take care of yourself. I learned that lesson earlier and refused to accept the city was 'difficult' as I had already been made to understand. I was determined to work and study at the same. I found a job. I have kept the job for more than a year. I had never failed a course or carried it forward and most of my grades are very good. I equally found some friends, who are interesting, tolerating and ones I will never want to let go. Much of my time have been spent working and studying but I haven't forgotten to play… if you are out there and want to come, do not hesitate because you too can do it, just as I am doing it.

Name: Thomas Lambrinos
Country: Greece

Why did you chose to study the eGovernment master at Örebro University?
Information technology is a concept that I have always been interested in. When I heard for the first time about Information technology within public sector, I believed from the first moment that Electronic government is something for me. I realized that Electronic government is still in its infancy, is a rapidly emerging field and I am sure that I will have lot of opportunities when I graduate.

I got my Bachelor degree in System analysis at Örebro University. The Informatics teachers at Örebro University are excellent, professional, and friendly. They have the ability to be flexible by changing the content of the courses according to the development of the field, and by focusing on the academic writing they give the opportunity to the students to have a critical way of thinking. By continuing my studies in a field which I am interested in, at a University which I already know is good, is definitely an excellent choice.

What is your opinion about the program?
The program contains a wide range of courses, associated with the field of Electronic Government. The minimum of one assignment per course plus the total of 20 weeks of individual project work includes lots of writing though. That gives the ability to the master students to get in-depth knowledge within a specific area but also to train their critical way of thinking.

The program focuses Electronic Government in the context of developing countries. Even though I am more interested in Electronic Government in the context of the western world, I find the program very profitable.

How is it to live and study in Örebro?
Being a student at Örebro University you have the opportunity to live next to campus in special adapted apartments for students. Within a radial of 10 minutes of walk distance, there is the University Library, Super Markets, bus stop where the bus passes frequently towards the central of Örebro, restaurants and student pubs.

Örebro as a city gives lots of opportunities regarding shopping, dining and entertainment. Also, geographically the city is located between Stockholm, Gothenburg and Oslo with frequent train and bus transportation to those cities. That gives the opportunity to students to travel away for a weekend to a bigger city.

Name: Wang Zhe
Country: China

Why did you chose to study the eGovernment master at Örebro University?
I come to the e-Government Program at Örebro University because this is a new emerging subject in China which has been developed very well in Sweden. My long-term career goal is to be involved in public information service sector. My background in undergraduate study was 'computer science', so this program could fill my theoretical gaps.

What is your opinion about the program?
After completing the first year's study, the e-Government Program has helped me to crystallize my ideas. It enables me to look within our Chinese organizations to see where new opportunities lie and imagine what might be better solved by ICT. "A good professor is one who can bring theory to the table and foster a classroom environment where students are able to also learn from each other." I have found that in my class. Besides, it was quite a fresh experience to sit together with my classmates from all over the world.

I believe this two years study will be a great asset in my career and a precious memory in my life.

Name: Harry Agbor Tambe
Country: Cameroon

Why did you chose to study the eGovernment master at Örebro University?
I chose to study e-Government because I read with interest the prospects that the program offers to make Administration better than it presently is. Coming from a country where information is poorly managed and given that we live in the information age, I found it necessary to be part of this revolution and take back my expertise to help my country. Of course, I was aware that I could land a good international Job if I networked well during my years of studies. another motivating factor for choosing to study e-Government in Sweden is because it is tuition free.

What is your opinion about the program?
My opinion about the program? It has a very promising future . It is true that things are not all juicy for the first batch of students, but I am confident that within 3 years, the program here in Örebro shall have nothing to envy from its counterpart programs in the UK. The staff are doing a great job, and I am happy to be taught by so many experienced people.

How is it to live and study in Örebro?
Every new comer to Örebro will say it is difficult to live here. But this shouldn't discourage students wishing to apply to Örebro. I think it is normal to experience hardship for people who have never studied out of their countries. Most of us never combined studies with work for example. So the experience might be bitter at first, but with time we get used to it. This helps us to be even better organized and frugal in the way we use our time.

Studying at Örebro has been a challenging experience for me, but I love it.

Name: Egowan Ritah
Country: Cameroon

Why did you chose to study the eGovernment master at Örebro University?
I am called Egowan Ritah and I am a master student at Orebro University Sweden. I am studying Electronic Government due to finish in June 2008. When I was looking for schools abroad, I did not have electronic government in mind. When I saw the program at Örebro University, I immediately looked the meaning up in the dictionary and discovered it was such an interesting program to study. I decided to study the program because I thought it will be good to know about the relations between public authorities and civil society and how the services offered by the public authorities can be modernised through the use of information and communication technologies.

Now I discovered I did not make a wrong choice studying electronic government and I will like to know more about it. I think it is a very interesting programme based on the fact that it coincides with the information era where every country is on the rush to grab the new technologies. I have however acquired a lot of knowledge because before I did not know the deficient services offered by governments to citizens could be improved through the use of information and communication technologies. Though it is a relatively new program, I think it will be good for everyone to have a grasp of it so as to be able to fit into this new information environment. Besides learning how to use these technologies in the right way, we also learn how to protect them together with the information we save in them. In fact, there are a lot of other interesting courses that are linked to the programme.
Örebro where the university is located is a very suitable environment for studies. There are no distractions and students can concentrate on their studies and grab the degrees in very limited time. There are a lot of facilities on campus and the lecturers are very welcoming. I think I don’t regret making this choice and I will like to pursue further degrees if need be.