SPPM organized a field study from January 7 to 11 in Shanghai for the International Master’s of Public Administration (IMPA) class of 2012. It was planned and led by SPPM Professor MENG Bo and Professor YIN Chengzhi, and joined by a total of 32 students representing 17 different countries.
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 transfer textbook theories into solving real-world challenges. Four previous IMPA classes also visited Shanghai and each one ended in success. Therefore, the school administration once again chose Shanghai as the destination for this year’s excursion.
(Toured the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition)
Over a span of five days, students visited organizations that represent multi-faceted aspects of development in Shanghai, such as economy, urban planning, leadership training, local culture, community development, and modern industry. Students paid a particular visit to the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Shanghai Party Institute of CCP, Huangpu District Government and Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. To engage with the contemporary development and culture, students toured the sites of the First National Congress of CPC, the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition, Pearl Tower and a couple of museums such as the well-known T’ou-Se-We Museum, Xu Guang Qi Memorial Hall, and the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum.
(Professor ZENG Jun, left, introduced one of the practicing rooms.)
During the trip, our students were able to observe achievements made by China in the
post-economic reform
era. In addition, through interacting with local government officials, students learned how cadres are trained in China. After completing the field study, students were encouraged to apply China’s successful experiences to both both social and economic development their home countries.
(IMPA students mingled with local residents in Wu Li Qiao Community.)
