The executive teams of the College of Local Administration (COLA), the International College (IC), and the Faculty of Law at Khon Kaen University (KKU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for academic cooperation with the Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP) at Fudan University in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China — one of the world’s leading universities, ranked 36th globally by Times Higher Education (THE), 30th globally by QS, and 3rd in China. The partnership is aimed at developing students’ skills to become global public policy designers.
The collaboration traces its origins to 2025, when COLA executives visited IGPP-Fudan to discuss academic cooperation. IGPP is recognized as a leading international institute for public policy, with partnerships spanning top universities worldwide, including the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), as well as prominent institutions across the United States and Europe, and counts numerous internationally renowned scholars in public affairs and policy among its adjunct faculty. Following that visit, IGPP awarded two scholarships to COLA students to participate in the International Summer School Program on Global Public Policy at Fudan University. Through the program, students significantly strengthened their analytical thinking, gained inspiration and confidence in presenting and exchanging innovative ideas, and showed marked improvement in their language skills. Recognizing these outcomes, the college identified the program as a key strategy for preparing students to become global citizens equipped with 21st-century competencies.
In 2026, the college initiated formal negotiations with IGPP leadership to establish an official MOU, expanding the partnership to include KKU’s International College and Faculty of Law. On June 15, 2026, an executive delegation representing the three KKU units — led by the Dean of the College of Local Administration, the Dean of the International College, and the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, together with their respective teams — traveled to formally sign the MOU with Prof. Yijia Jing, Dean of IGPP. Following the signing, both institutions will move forward immediately with joint activities. This coming July 2026, the three KKU colleges/faculties, together with partner institution the Faculty of Political Science at Ubon Ratchathani University, will send a total of 18 students to take part in the International Summer School Program on Global Public Policy 2026 at Fudan University, which will feature faculty from leading global universities such as LSE, alongside students from top institutions around the world. The two institutions also discussed plans for future collaboration, including the joint design of an international curriculum under a 2+2/3+2 double degree program, as well as the development of short courses to strengthen faculty competencies in global public policy.
This partnership with one of China’s and the world’s leading universities marks an important opportunity for Khon Kaen University to build a world-class network — one that will significantly benefit the development of KKU students’ and faculty’s capabilities while broadening international recognition of the university’s reputation. The collaboration aligns closely with Khon Kaen University’s and the College of Local Administration’s strategic priorities in education and internationalization.
In 2026, the college initiated formal negotiations with IGPP leadership to establish an official MOU, expanding the partnership to include KKU’s International College and Faculty of Law. On June 15, 2026, an executive delegation representing the three KKU units — led by the Dean of the College of Local Administration, the Dean of the International College, and the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, together with their respective teams — traveled to formally sign the MOU with Prof. Yijia Jing, Dean of IGPP. Following the signing, both institutions will move forward immediately with joint activities. This coming July 2026, the three KKU colleges/faculties, together with partner institution the Faculty of Political Science at Ubon Ratchathani University, will send a total of 18 students to take part in the International Summer School Program on Global Public Policy 2026 at Fudan University, which will feature faculty from leading global universities such as LSE, alongside students from top institutions around the world. The two institutions also discussed plans for future collaboration, including the joint design of an international curriculum under a 2+2/3+2 double degree program, as well as the development of short courses to strengthen faculty competencies in global public policy.
This partnership with one of China’s and the world’s leading universities marks an important opportunity for Khon Kaen University to build a world-class network — one that will significantly benefit the development of KKU students’ and faculty’s capabilities while broadening international recognition of the university’s reputation. The collaboration aligns closely with Khon Kaen University’s and the College of Local Administration’s strategic priorities in education and internationalization.
