SPPM organized a field trip from August 26 to September 3 in Shanghai and Jiangxi for the International Master of Public Administration (IMPA) class of 2014 and exchanges students of CAMPUS Asia Program. It was planned and led by SPPM Associate Dean Ms. Meng Bo, Prof. WANG Youqiang and Prof.CHENG Wenhao, and joined by a total of 31 IMPA students representing 22 different countries and 7 exchange students hailing from South Korea and Japan.
From the inception of the IMPA program in 2008, the field study trip has been integrated as a crucial component of the curriculum. It allows students to apply textbook theories to solving real-world challenges. Six previous IMPA classes also visited Shanghai, Sichuan or Anhui and all ended in success. In 2014, the exchange students from South Korea and Japan were newly invited to join this trip, which made possible more diversified delegation and better interaction.
The trip to Shanghai was firstly led by Ms. MENG Bo and Prof. CHENG Wenhao. Students visited organizations that represent multi-faceted aspects of development in Shanghai, such as Shanghai Party Institute of CPC, Shanghai Urban Planning Center and Wuliqiao Community, so as to obtain a comprehensive acknowledgement of economy, urban planning and leadership training in Shanghai. Students also visited the construction site of Zhongshan Hospital and Suzhou Industrial Park which were attributed to MCC Overseas for reference and contact.
After the Shanghai expedition was completed, students continued the visit to Nanchang and Yingtan of Jiangxi province. It was led by Prof. WANG Youqiang and Ms. MENG Bo and got support from MCC Overseas Ltd. It aimed to help students have a better understanding of public administrative practice, economic development, higher education and agricultural development in medium-developed area of China.
Jiangxi Province is part of the east China region, and part of the Central China economic zone which is rich in mineral and agricultural resources. For most students from developing countries, Jiangxi is more related to their development situation and set a good example for them to address the challenges. In Nanchang, students attended a symposium with government officials of Jiangxi province and exchanged with undergraduate students from Nanchang University and Jiangxi Agricultural University. Apart from that, they also had a good time with the inhabitants and staff in local food enterprises and villagers in the demonstration village of new agricultural development. And the visit to Yingtan city got support of Yingtan municipal government. Students paid a visit to Jiangxi Copper Company and the birth land of Taoism.
Over a span of nine days, students were able to observe achievements made by China in the post-economic reform era and medium-sized city. In addition, through interacting with local residents, students learned about China’s urban and rural development as well as the unique culture that it reveals. Students expressed their appreciation to the school administration on their good design of the overall field trip. Moreover, students from developing countries were encouraged to apply China’s successful experiences to both social and economic development in their home countries.
