On March 27^th, 2024, a delegation composed by three representatives, including Benny Lee, Board Member of Tanoto Foundation, and Wu Wei, Secretary-General of Tanoto Foundation China, visited the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University (hereinafter as Tsinghua SPPM). The distinguished guests were cordially received by Zhu Xufeng, Dean of Tsinghua SPPM, Guo Xinning, Senior Director of International Programs, Zheng Zhenqing, Academic Director of IMPA Program, and Shi Shuting, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange. The meeting was hosted by Guo Xinning, Senior Director of International Programs.

On behalf of Tsinghua SPPM, Zhu Xufeng welcomed Mr. Benny Lee, who was visiting for the first time, and expressed his heartfelt thanks to Tanoto Foundation for its strong support to Tsinghua SPPM’s international programs and talent cultivation over the years. He stated that, after seven years of cooperation, their relationship has become closer, and the two international programs funded by Tanoto Foundation have been carried out satisfactorily. He mentioned that with the kind support of Tanoto Foundation, Tsinghua SPPM has successfully organized the first overseas alumni event for international programs in Jakarta, Indonesia, at the end of 2023, which further strengthened the ties between the School and its international alumni. In the future, he expects both sides can work together to explore more diverse ways of cooperation.

Zhu Xufeng delivering his remarks

Benny Lee spoke on behalf of the Tanoto Foundation. He presented a general overview of Tanoto Foundation's education sector and thanked Tsinghua University for its support over the years. He emphasized that, since the establishment of the Tanoto Foundation in 1981, education has been one of its priorities. He addressd that the cooperation between Tanoto Foundation and Tsinghua University in talent cultivation over the past seven years has achieved remarkable results. In the future, Tanoto Foundation will, as in the past, maintain a close cooperation with Tsinghua SPPM, continue to support the development of international programs, and work together to further cultivate future talents.

Benny Lee delivering his remarks

Subsequently, Zheng Zhenqing introduced in detail the development and achievements of the International Master of Public Administration in the Belt and Road Initiative (IMPA-BRI) program and the International Master of Public Administration for Future Leaders (IMPA-FL) program. He shared about their teaching faculty, unique teaching methods, curriculum arrangement and other aspects.

Zheng Zhenqing presenting about IMPA-BRI and IMPA-FL programs

On behalf of Tanoto Foundation China, Wu Wei thanked Tsinghua SPPM for its strong support to the two international programs. He said that Tanoto Foundation plans to invite the students who were unable to engage in offline study during the pandemic to come to China for site visits. This way they will obtain a more intuitive understanding of China and Tsinghua University, as well as better achieve their teaching objectives.

Wu Wei delivering his remarks

In the exchange session of the meeting, both sides had an in-depth discussion on the students enrollment, curriculum design, program management, future cooperation and other relevant issues.

On-site meeting

Guo Xinning hosting the meeting

Tsinghua University's International Master of Public Administration in the Belt and Road Initiative (IMPA-BRI) program is guided by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), hosted by the International Cooperation Center (ICC) of the NDRC and Tanoto Foundation China, and offered at Tsinghua University. Launched in 2018, it has so far recruited a total of 72 students in five cohorts. The International Master of Public Administration for Future Leaders (IMPA-FL) program is co-hosted by China Foundation for Peace and Development and Tanoto Foundation China, and offered at Tsinghua University. It was launched in 2020, and has so far enrolled a total of 46 students in four cohorts.