IMPA and CAMPUS Asia Students 2015 Field Trip
Guangxi and Shanghai Expenditure
SPPM organized a field trip from August 17th to 23th to Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Shanghai for the International Master of Public Administration (IMPA) class of 2015 and exchanges students of CAMPUS Asia Program. It was planned and led by SPPM Associate Dean Ms. Meng Bo, Chairman of International Program Committee Prof. WANG Youqiang, and a total of 33 IMPA students representing 20 different countries and 5 exchange students from South Korea participated the trip.
Since the creation of the IMPA program in 2008, the field study trip has been an integral and crucial component of the curriculum. It allows students to apply textbook theories while solving real-world challenges. Seven IMPA from the previous classes also visited Shanghai, Sichuan, Anhui and Jiangxi which successfully concluded the field study trip program.
The first trip to Guangxi hopes to help students have a better understanding of public administrative practice, economic development, ethnic customs and agricultural development in medium-developed area of China. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is part of the Southeast China region, which is rich in mineral and agricultural resources and signified by diversified ethnic group culture.
IMPA2015 class and exchange students visited Liuzhou Iron and Steel Company, Guangxi Automobile Mart and Liuzhou Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and etc. in Liuzhou, the second largest city of Guangxi, where they had chance to exchange with Liuzhou government officials. Apart from that, students also had a good cultural exchange experience with villagers in Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County and witnessed Dong ethnic culture including tourism and agricultural development.
The trip to Guangxi received support from MCC Overseas Ltd and students paid a visit to Mawu High Way Service Center through MCC Overseas Ltd’s connections. As there were lots of mountainous area in Guangxi, and the road to destinations were full of hardship, students obtained a better understanding of development challenges in Guangxi. This experience had set a good example for them to address problems in their home countries.
After the Guangxi expedition was completed, students continued their visit to Shanghai, the largest city in terms of size and economic and it is also the financial center of China. IMPA Academic Chair Professor, Prof. ZHENG Zhenqing also join the trip. Students visited organizations that represent multi-faceted aspects of development in Shanghai, such as the Shanghai Finance Office, the Shanghai Party Institute of CPC, and the Shanghai Urban Planning Center so as to obtain a comprehensive acknowledgement in economic development, urban planning and leadership training in Shanghai. Students also visited MCC Xiangteng Urban Square Project which was attributed to MCC Overseas for reference and contact.
Over the course of seven days, students were able to observe achievements made by China in the post-economic reform era for medium-sized cities. In addition, students learned about China’s urban and rural development as well as the unique culture that it reveals through their interactions with local residents. Students expressed their appreciation towards the school administration on how well the overall field trip program was designed. Moreover, students from developing countries were encouraged to apply China’s successful models to both social and economic development in their home countries.
