LKYSPP becomes first institution outside Europe and North America to join alliance of institutions and establishes double degrees with LSE, Sciences Po and SIPA
A simple signing ceremony that took place on the evening of July 10 th, 2007 in the office of Sir Howard Davies, Director of the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) marked the elevation of the not yet three-year old Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) into the premiere league of public policy educational institutions. The ceremony marked the establishment of double or dual degrees between the National University of Singapore’s LKYSPP with the LSE and the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po). These double degrees were preceded on June 5 th by the establishment of a double degree between Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and LKYSPP. This double degree received its final approval from the New York State Education Department, with the Columbia University and NUS Senates having approved the double degree programmes last year.
The establishment of double degrees with LSE, Sciences Po and SIPA marks the formal admission of LKYSPP into the Global Public Policy Network (GPPN). The GPPN was established in June 2005 by SIPA, LSE and Sciences Po, as a close-knit alliance of premiere educational institutions dedicated to the common study of issues of global public policy concern. LKYSPP is the fourth member – the first from outside Europe and North America – to join this prestigious grouping which requires, at a minimum, that participating institutions have bilateral double degree arrangements with each other.
The GPPN double masters’ degree programmes are geared towards training a new generation of globally-minded public policy makers. These programmes allow students from SIPA, LSE, Sciences Po and LKYSPP to spend their first year at their home institution, and the second year at one of the other three partner institutions. At the end of their two years of study, students will receive masters’ degrees in public policy or public affairs from two GPPN institutions. Targeted at professionals in the public, private and non-profit sectors with an interest in the global dimensions of public affairs and public policy, the GPPN degree programmes are expected to significantly enhance the graduate degree offerings of each GPPN institution.
In welcoming LKYSPP to the GPPN and to the network of double degrees, Howard Davies, Director of LSE, said: “LSE is delighted to be working with one of the key public policy schools in Asia. Through our link with LKYSPP at NUS, our students and faculty will have access to a rich Asian perspective on public policy. We look forward to developing a deep relationship with LKYSPP and NUS over the coming years.”
Speaking from his office in Paris, Mr. Richard Descoings, President of Sciences Po, expressed his satisfaction at the signing of the double degree with LKYSPP: “The GPPN is a most exciting venture for Sciences Po. Taking public policy issues, which are already at the heart of our teaching and research mission, and exploring them in a global context – this is the shared vision of the GPPN partners. With the Lee Kuan Yew School, we are strengthening our network, not only by collaborating with one of Asia's, and indeed the world's, top public policy schools, but by recognizing the importance of the Asian perspective on these issues.”
Prof. Lisa Anderson, who stepped down as dean of SIPA this summer, expressed pleasure at the addition of the LKYSPP double degree to SIPA’s international curriculum. “We at SIPA have been very proud to be associated with one of Asia's premier public policy programs in the Lee Kuan Yew School and are delighted to see our collaboration grow into a full-fledged partnership. This is yet another signal of SIPA's commitment to making the most of the opportunities for students and faculty presented by globalization.” SIPA’s Interim Dean Prof. John Coatsworth added: “This is terrific news for SIPA and its students, and a modest but nonetheless significant step in the internationalization of Columbia’s curriculum. Lisa Anderson and her team deserve all the credit for this good news. I look forward to working with our new partners in Singapore.” Reacting to the news that LSE and Sciences Po had completed the necessary formalities to establish double degrees with LKYSPP, Prof. Coatsworth further added: “I am delighted to see that our partners in the Global Public Policy Network have completed the steps needed to enable all of our students to move as easily between our schools as they will need to move across the globe in their careers. SIPA is proud to be part of this bold initiative.”
Prof. Kishore Mahbubani, Dean of LKYSPP, added: “The establishment of double degrees with LSE, Sciences Po and SIPA is a significant development for LKYSPP in many dimensions. Through the GPPN alliance, it brings together four great universities, Columbia through SIPA, the LSE, Sciences Po and of course NUS through LKYSPP. It provides new educational opportunities for students in all four institutions. It recognises that in an era of accelerating globalisation, universities have to cooperate across the globe to develop good teaching and research on existing and emerging global public policy challenges. These double degrees also mean that LKYSPP has become the first Asian member of the Global Public Policy Network, an initiative launched 2 years ago by SIPA, LSE and Sciences Po. The School is greatly honoured to be invited to join this exclusive group.”
The first group of double degree students from LKYSPP will be departing for New York, London and Paris in August and September of this year. These nine Master in Public Policy students were selected on the basis of merit and are broadly representative of the diverse student body at LKYSPP. They hail from Australia, China, India, Pakistan, South Korea and Singapore. Brief biographies of the nine double degree students are appended to this press release.
Beyond the double or dual degrees described above, the GPPN partners have agreed to collaborate across a range of initiatives, including the launch of shorter executive programmes targeted at global policymakers, the launch of one or more practitioner and academic journals, and the conduct or sponsorship of joint research on issues of global policy concern. One such example is the Executive Public Policy Training Programme (EPPTP) held in collaboration with Peking University (PKU) and aimed at high-ranking Civil Servants from the People’s Republic of China. The programme is in its second year and is currently designed and delivered by faculty from PKU, SIPA, LSE and Sciences Po. LKYSPP faculty are expected to join for subsequent runs of the programme starting in 2008.
In addition, LKYSPP has been chosen to host the second GPPN Conference in Singapore this year, on October 22 nd – 23 rd . The first GPPN Conference was held in Paris in October 2006. The Singapore conference is expected to bring together more than 40 public policy institutions from around the world. Titled ‘Globalizing Asia or Asian Globalization?’ the conference has attracted eminent speakers and panellists such as Surin Pitsuwan, a member of parliament and a former foreign minister of Thailand, Andrew Sheng, the chief advisor to the China Banking Regulatory Commission and a former deputy chief executive of Hong Kong’s monetary authority, and Tan Sri Dato Sri Mohd. Hassan Marican, President and CEO of Petronas. The conference will be opened by BG (Ret) George Yeo, Foreign Minister of Singapore. Conference participants will also be hosted for dinner at the Istana where the guest of honour will be President S R Nathan. A copy of the tentative programme for the Conference is appended to this press release.
For more information on the GPPN, the double degrees or the GPPN Conference, please contact the following:
1. LKYSPP: Stavros Yiannouka, Vice-Dean (Executive Education & Development) at
2. LSE: Catherine Manthorpe, Head, Academic Partnerships at
3. Sciences Po: Francis Verillaud, Vice-President, Director of International Affairs at
4. SIPA: Robert Garris, Associate Dean, External Relations & Communications at
Chin Yeok Tsui
Corporate Development Executive
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Tel: (65) 6516 6197
Email:
Click here to view the biographies of the nine double degree students
Click here to view the GPPN Conference Programme
