- Queenie Tam
- Ghazi Mabrouk
Intermediate
Event organizer(s)
Supported by
Description
This course provides policymakers and practitioners with the foundational knowledge and practical tools to design effective data governance frameworks that enable inclusive, secure, and rights-based digital transformation.
Through interactive sessions, participants will explore policy, institutional, and technical dimensions of data governance, focusing on the role of data in driving equitable digital transformation. In addition, the course highlights governance components of digital public infrastructure (DPI), and the growing reliance of AI systems on trusted data ecosystems characterized by quality, interoperability, transparency, and strong safeguards. The curriculum also draws on established guidance such as the Data Governance Toolkit co-developed by UNESCO, UNDP, ITU, and the African Union Commission as a result of the Broadband Commission Working Group on “Data Governance in the Digital Age”.
The course will share country experiences, best practices, and actionable guidance to support evidence-based policymaking aligned with the SDGs and national digital strategies.
With the generous funding from the Global Gateway initiative of the European Union, participation in this training is free of charge for selected applicants.
This course is designed for government officials, policymakers, and technical experts engaged in digital transformation, data governance, ICT policy, or related domains. It is particularly relevant for representatives from ministries of ICT, planning, finance, and innovation; national data protection authorities; digital governance agencies; and multilateral or regional institutions supporting digital governance initiatives.
The course is limited to 35 participants.
No specific certifications are required. However, participants should have at least two years of experience working with digital technology or data in roles such as digital policy, ICT project management, or related functions within national or subnational government levels.
Important additional requirements:
- Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or have an additional 3 years of experience in the abovementioned areas if they do not hold a university degree.
- Possess a fluent level of English.
- Complete the application questionnaire, provide motivation and attach an up-to-date CV.
- Government officials and policymakers from the Global South, particularly women, are encouraged to apply.
- Selection will be conducted by the course organizers, who will consider the above entry requirements along with an analysis of the application questionnaire and the motivation of each applicant.
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the core concepts and principles of data governance, including privacy, openness, interoperability, and ethical data use and how these principles apply to digital public infrastructure (DPI) components and AI systems.
- Analyze the policy frameworks that support effective data governance.
- Identify governance models and mechanisms that promote safe, inclusive, and sustainable data sharing across sectors.
- Integrate a rights-based approach into data governance initiatives, including gender equality and sustainability considerations.
- Engage diverse stakeholders to strengthen accountability and trust in data governance.
- Develop a sectoral data governance plan through group exercises and case studies that incorporate relevant DPI building blocks and responsible AI use cases.
This course will be delivered utilizing live instructor-led sessions using PowerPoint slides, short videos, and other creative media. To maximize interaction and engagement, there will be polls and surveys, breakout sessions for brainstorming and discussions, as well as short presentations throughout the course that encourage participants to draw on their specific environments. The participants will be expected to attend 6 online live sessions via Zoom led by instructors, each lasting 2 hours. Sessions 1 to 5 will focus on:
- Providing practical application of course materials via interactive group activities related to the final group presentation
- Providing supplementary materials on emerging trends via guest speakers
- Providing an opportunity for participants to engage with mentors
- Providing an opportunity for participants to seek guidance from the instructor on the group project
Session 6 will allow participants to present their final group presentation and receive feedback from instructors and peers. Participants will be invited to share their key takeaways from the course with the class.
Date and Time of the live sessions:
- Session 1: March 3, 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
- Session 2: March 5, 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
- Session 3: March 10, 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
- Session 4: March 12, 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
- Session 5: March 17, 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
- Session 6: March 24, 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
Students’ performance in this course will be determined using a combination of grades for pre-class short quiz, attendance and participation in class/ zoom session, and the final project:
- A pre-class short questionnaire to understand participants’ professional background and knowledge level on digital citizen services. Completion - 10 points.
- Attendance at all live sessions - 15 points.
- Active contribution to discussion, feedback, and presentation during live sessions - 25 points.
- A group project where participants will apply course concepts to assess or redesign a data governance model that addresses a public sector challenge, preferably linked to a DPI component. Working in teams, participants will:
- Identify a specific challenge and map the data ecosystem involved
- Assess how data is collected, shared, protected, and used, and identify key governance gaps
- Propose practical improvements to the data governance framework, including optional AI use cases to enhance service delivery.
- Develop an implementation plan and risk mitigation strategy.
- Present their findings and recommendations in the final session
Completion - 30 points, good - 40 points, excellent - 50 points
Grading Matrix:
- Pre-class knowledge check: 10%
- Attendance: 15%
- Active/in-class contributions: 25%
- Final group project: 50%.
A total score of 70% or more is required to obtain the ITU certificate.
Week 1
Session1: Introduction to Data Governance and the 4Ps Framework
Tuesday, 3 March 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
- Get to know instructors and fellow participants.
- Clarify the objectives of the course and what to expect in subsequent sessions.
- Define data governance and distinguish it from data management and data protection.
- Understand the structure and aims of the Data Governance Toolkit.
- Recognize the role of data governance in enabling responsible digital transformation and AI use.
- Identify key trends reshaping data governance globally.
Session 2: Defining Purpose – Why Do We Govern Data?
Thursday, 5 March 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
- Understand how purpose acts as a “compass” for data governance.
- Link governance purpose to institutional mandates and public value.
- Use the Toolkit's Purpose Canvas to define goals, beneficiaries, and risks.
- Connect national digital priorities to data governance strategies.
Week 2
Session 3: Principles – How Should We Govern Data?
Tuesday, 10 March 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
- Identify core data governance principles across three lenses (process, decision, data handling).
- Apply global principles to local and sectoral contexts.
- Navigate trade-offs and tensions in applying principles (e.g., privacy vs openness).
- Use the Data Ethics Canvas to embed values in data initiatives.
Session 4: People and Processes – Who Governs Data?
Thursday, 12 March 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
- Understand who governs data and why role clarity matters.
- Identify key governance roles: Data Stewards, CDOs, DPOs, etc.
- Use the RACI model to assign and assess governance responsibilities.
- Recognize gaps and overlaps in institutional data governance structures.
Week 3
Session 5: Lifecycle Practices – What Do We Do With Data?
Tuesday, 17 March 2026 | 10:00-12:00 UTC
- Understand how governance applies across data lifecycle stages.
- Identify stage-specific decisions, risks, and safeguards.
- Use Toolkit checklists to evaluate institutional maturity.
- Link governance mechanisms to implementation tools.
Week 4
Session 6: Presentations and Next Steps
Thursday, 24 March 2026 | 11:00-13:00 CET
- Present a compelling data governance model that addresses a public sector challenge
- Reflect on lessons learned
- Set actionable goals to apply them in real-life settings
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.
