International Collaborations
SPPD students conduct field research in Brazil.The USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development (SPPD) has formalized its relationships with a number of international institutions and universities. Currently, these include:
Brazilian School of Public Administration and Management (EBAPE), Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV), Rio de Janeiro
EBAPE is one of the premier public administration schools in Brazil and has trained many of Brazil's elite scholars and civil servants. Its director is an SPPD MPA alumnus. Since 2004, EBAPE has collaborated with SPPD on the international student lab that takes place in Brazil. SPPD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EBAPE in 2008.
China Academy for Urban Planning and Design (CAUPD)
CAUPD is part of the Chinese Ministry of Construction, the entity that oversees all urban development in the country. CAUPD has hired SPPD graduate students as interns on a yearly basis since 2004. A Memorandum of Understanding between CAUPD and SPPD was signed in 2008.
Korea Institute for Public Administration (KIPA)
KIPA collaborates with SPPD on issues of emerging civil society. KIPA's president is an alumnus of SPPD's Ph.D. program. SPPD's Memorandum of Understanding with KIPA was signed in 2007.
Ministry of Public Administration and Security (MOPAS), Republic of Korea:
Korea's Ministry of Public Administration and Security (MOPAS) advocates efficiency in governance through policy development and effective collaboration between central and local governments. The USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development signed an agreement to provide graduate education and training for selected civil service officials from the ministry. A memorandum of understanding between SPPD and the South Korean government was signed in March 2009.
Peace Corps:
The Peace Corps began was established 1960 to advance the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. Presently, California enrolls more Peace Corps volunteers than any other state; a significant percentage of whom are USC alumni. SPPD signed a formal agreement in November 2008 to participate in Fellows/USA – the Peace Corps’ graduate fellowship program – which offers returned volunteers financial assistance toward their graduate studies.
SPPD students visit the Foshan Civic Center in China.
Peking University (PKU) School of Government
PKU is regarded as one of the very top universities in China. SPPD collaborates with PKU's School of Government on the international student lab that takes place in China. A Memorandum of Understanding between PKU and SPPD was signed in 2004.
Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University is linked with SPPD's International Public Policy and Management (IPPAM) program. It is ranked alongside PKU as a top university in China. SPPD's Memorandum of Understanding with Tsinghua University was signed in 2005.
World Bank:
The World Bank has played an essential role in offering financial and technical aid to developing countries across the globe. In February 2009, SPPD and the World Bank signed a memorandum of understanding to merge scholarly research and specific program initiatives to address the challenge of sustainable development in the East Asia and Pacific Region. According to the agreement, the institutions will collaborate in a number of specific areas, including climate change, renewable energy, infrastructure, urban development, rural development and education.