Students attend a lecture during the summer school at NTU. [Photo/ntu.edu.sg]
Twenty-nine students and faculty members from Xiamen University's (XMU) School of Public Affairs took part in the 2026 Summer School hosted by the Nanyang Centre for Public Administration (NCPA) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore from July 5 to 11, studying innovation management and economic decision-making in Asia through academic sessions and field research.
The weeklong program explored regional cooperation, cross-border governance, the challenges of an aging population, and sustainable urban development through lectures, workshops and field studies.
The academic sessions examined ASEAN centrality and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative from a regional perspective, as well as the role of financial economics and the time value of money in public decision-making.
Students take part in group discussions during the Design Thinking Workshop. [Photo/ntu.edu.sg]
The Design Thinking Workshop on aging societies was a highlight of the program. Students worked in teams to identify challenges faced by older adults in areas including digital accessibility, home safety, and social inclusion, and developed solutions through user profiling, brainstorming, and scenario planning.
The students also visited the Asian Civilisations Museum, Merlion Park, and Gardens by the Bay to examine Singapore's multicultural heritage and its urban planning practices that balance green spaces with high-density development.
At the closing ceremony, Wang Jue, director of NCPA, encouraged the students to continue exploring public governance issues. Participants said the program offered new perspectives on governance through cross-cultural learning.
