SPPM organized a field study from June 25 to 29 in Shanghai for the International Master’s of Public Administration (IMPA) class of 2013. It was planned and led by SPPM Professor MENG Bo and Professor YIN Chengzhi, and joined by a total of 29 students representing 26 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 apply textbook theories to solving real-world challenges. Five previous IMPA classes also visited Shanghai and all ended in success. Therefore, the school administration once again chose Shanghai as the destination for this year’s excursion.

 

 

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, rural development and modern heavy industry. Apart from sites covered in previous years, students paid a visit to Fudan University, a top university with over 100 years of history. Students also visited the Shanghai Party Institute of CCP and Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd which was attributed to MCC Overseas for reference and contact. To engage with the contemporary development and culture, students toured the site of the First National Congress of CPC, the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition, Pearl Tower and Zhu Jia Jiao Water Village.

 

 

During the trip, students were able to observe achievements made by China in the post-economic reform era. 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. After completing the field study, students were encouraged to apply China’s successful experiences to both social and economic development in their home countries.