During the summer of 2026, a delegation from Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP) at Fudan University, including IGPP Dean Yijia Jing, Associate Dean Haoqi Qian, and Administrative Director Rong Zhang, visited Hanoi, Vientiane, and Bangkok for academic exchanges. Dean Jing also visited Singapore for an academic exchange. These exchanges aimed to further deepen and expand partnerships with leading universities and public governance institutions across Southeast Asia.

On August 23, the delegation visited the Faculty of Political Economy at the University of Economics, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, where they held discussions with Associate Dean Tran Duc Hiep; Vice Dean To The Nguyen; Vice Dean Pham Thi Hong Diep; Director Vu Minh Duc of the Economics and Management Program; Dr. Dang Trung Tuyen; Dr. Vu Duc Nghia; Dean Pham Vu Thang of the Faculty of Business; and representatives from the Office of International Cooperation. The two sides introduced their respective institutions and discussed potential areas of collaboration, including joint student exchanges, research collaboration, faculty exchanges, and training programs for public-sector personnel.

The delegation subsequently visited the National Economics University in Hanoi Vietnam. Rector Do Thi Hai Ha of the College of Economics and Public Management and Head of the Faculty of Management Science; Director Nguyen Dang Nui of the Dean’s Office; Dean Pham The Anh of the Faculty of Economics; Deputy Director Pham Sy Long of the Office of International Cooperation; and Dr. Ha Quynh Anh participated in the meeting. Building on previous online discussions, the two sides engaged in in-depth exchanges on joint student training, collaborative research, faculty exchanges, and non-degree training programs, and reached agreement on arrangements for follow-up cooperation.

From August 24 to 25, the delegation visited Laos. Vice President Phouphet Kyophilavong of the National University of Laos, and Director Souliya Mounnarath of the International Cooperation Division of the Office of International Relations, among others, received with the delegation. The two sides reviewed progress in cooperation since the signing of their memorandum of understanding and exchanged views on talent development, official training, and high-level dialogue, agreeing to further expand the scope of cooperation.

During the visit, the delegation also met with Sitthiroth Rasphone, Vice Minister of Finance of Laos, and Somchit Khammoungkhoune, Permanent Deputy Minister, among other officials, to discuss IGPP’s training programs for young and mid-career officials from Laos. The delegation also visited Vanvilay Soukphengsy, a current IMPA student from the Lao Ministry of Finance.

The delegation also paid a visit to Counselor Liqiang Deng of the Chinese Embassy in Laos. Counselor Deng expressed his strong support for IGPP’s cooperation with Laos and its future plans. He noted that 2026 marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos, and that the two countries are working together to build an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future for the new era. As domestic demand in Laos for talent development and policy research in public administration and global governance continues to grow, he noted that strengthening cooperation with Laos is well aligned with broader national strategic priorities. He stated that the embassy would actively support IGPP in expanding academic and institutional exchanges with Laos.

On August 26, the delegation visited Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. Director Unruan Leknoi of the Social Research Institute; Deputy Director Wichaya Komin; Deputy Director Pichaya Surapolchai; and researchers Philip Cho, Denise Lozano Lazo, and Chonnikan Sae-Lim met with the delegation. The two sides held in-depth discussions on cooperation in training programs, joint research, journal development, and international conferences.

The delegation subsequently visited the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University, where it met with Dean Prakorn Siriprakob, and Director Surat Horachaikul of the Public Policy, Global Affairs, and Social Program. The two sides reached a preliminary consensus on jointly developing talent in public administration and public policy.

On the same day, the delegation met with Dean Sirisak Laochankham of the College of Public Affairs and Policy at Khon Kaen University; Vice Dean Grichawat Lowatcharin; Vice Dean Narongdet Mahasirikul; Director Chalermpong Pongpracha of Administration; and Secretary Kewaree Sangsawang of International Relations Officer. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in degree programs and summer schools. The former president of Khon Kaen University also attended the meeting.

From August 27 to 28, the delegation visited the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) in Thailand and attended events marking the institute’s 60th anniversary. The delegation also held further discussions on university- and school-level cooperation. President Tippawan Lorsuwannarat of NIDA, met with the delegation, accompanied by Dean Achakorn Wongpreedee of the Graduate School of Public Administration (GSPO); Vice Dean Danuvas Sagarik; Vice Dean Pananda Chansukree; and Vice Dean Pawinee Chuayprakong. President Tippawan highly praised the achievements made by the Graduate School of Public Administration and IGPP in talent development and research collaboration, and expressed her hope that the two institutions would continue to deepen their cooperation.

During the visit to NIDA, the delegation participated in a workshop organized by GSPO. Dean Jing and Associate Dean Qian delivered academic lectures on the theme of Developing Social Science Data Analysis Skills in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and engaged in lively discussions with faculty and students.

On the afternoon of August 28, the delegation visited Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). Deputy Permanent Secretary Punpermsak Aruni; higher education expert Jarurin Phuraya; Associate Dean Pathomthat Chiradeja of the Faculty of Engineering at Srinakharinwirot University; Vice President Marut Tangwattanachuleeporn of Burapha University; and Director Nuanwan Tohthong of the First International Cooperation Promotion Group of the International Affairs Division, attended the meeting. The visit followed a return invitation to the Thai Ministry of MHESI after its delegation visited IGPP in November 2025. The two sides reviewed recent exchanges and discussed future cooperation, including signing a memorandum of understanding, advancing high-level dialogue, and establishing a platform for cooperation among Chinese and Thai universities.

On the same day, the delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and met with Education Counselor Lan Xu. After hearing about IGPP’s existing cooperation with Thailand and its future plans, Counselor Xu welcomed Fudan University’s active efforts to promote educational and academic exchanges between China and Thailand and expressed hope that Fudan would continue to deepen and expand such cooperation.

In July, Dean Jing visited the Nanyang Technological University’s School of Social Sciences for an academic exchange, where he held extensive discussions with Dean Jue Wang on the development of high-level international talent training programs jointly established by the two institutions. Dean Jing was also invited to deliver an academic lecture to graduate students on coordination mechanisms across public-sector organizations.

During the trip, Dean Jing also visited the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, where he exchanged views with Dean Zhenyang Liao, Professor Edoardo Araral, and Professor M. Ramesh. He also visited the Department of Political Science, where he met with Associate Acting Head Yipeng Huang and Associate Professor Jie Gao.

The Southeast Asia visit further consolidated and expanded IGPP’s partnerships with key institutions in ASEAN countries. Going forward, IGPP will build on the outcomes of these visits, continue to advance substantive cooperation with ASEAN countries in public policy and global governance, and contribute Fudan’s knowledge and expertise to the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of an academic community of the Global South.