October 22, 2009
This morning, SPPM held its second-ever opening ceremony for the International Master of Public Administration (IMPA) program. The ceremony was hosted by Professor Meng Bo, Assistant Dean of SPPM, and attended by Mr. Sheng Jianxue, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Yu Yingfu, Deputy Director General of the Department of Aid to Foreign Countries of the Ministry of Commerce, the Vice President of Tsinghua University, Professor Xie Weihe, Associate Dean of Graduate School, Professor Gao Hong, Director of Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Professor Luo Lisheng, Director of Foreign Student Affairs Office, Professor Wu Yunxin, Dean Xue Lan and Professor Wang Youqiang of SPPM, and other members of the SPPM faculty.
The hour-long ceremony included speeches from both ministry officials, student representative Edward Kadozi of Rwanda, and Dean Xue. Speaking of their experiences so far in China, Mr. Kodazi said: “We were so proud to have been admitted to this prestigious university, happy to be immersed in the Tsinghua University environment, and overwhelmed by the warm welcome and the hospitality displayed toward us by the people of China.” In welcoming the students, Dean Xue spoke of China’s rapid growth over the past three decades as well as that of SPPM since its founding in 2000; and as government officials of developing nations across the world, the students have all chosen to study at SPPM at the right time, the right location, and with the right people.
The new class of 37 students comes from 27 countries throughout Africa and Asia. The majority of the students have held positions in their respective governments, while the rest come from prestigious universities. In the coming year, the students will take courses in public administration, management, policy, etc., complete a master’s thesis, and participate in field study trips throughout China.
