Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Public Administration-Chinese Governance for Developing Countries Program

The Master of Public Administration-Chinese Governance for Developing Countries (MPA-CGDC) program is designed to foster high-end, interdisciplinary, and applied talents in the fields of politics, economy, and trade, diplomacy, agriculture, science, education, culture, and health, energy, and transportation, as well as public administration. This program is sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and is aimed at developing countries.

Program Objective

The objective of the MPA-CGDC program is to foster leaders with solid policy analysis skills and a global perspective who can handle complex national affairs. The program focuses on Chinese governance, leading students to explore Chinese public management and policies from five dimensions: society, economy, history and culture, law, and politics.

Program Structure

The MPA-CGDC program consists of 3 semesters of full-time academic study and 1 semester of thesis writing and defense. The program includes compulsory courses, elective courses, and a thesis. The compulsory courses cover topics such as governance and development, public administration innovation, and research ethics. The elective courses include government innovation, public financial management, and human resource management in the public sector.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the MPA-CGDC program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be non-Chinese nationals from developing countries
• Hold a valid private ordinary passport
• Be government officials at or above director level, academic institution leaders above director level, or administrators at equivalent level
• Hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification
• Be under 45 years old (born after September 1, 1980) and have over three years of working experience in relevant fields
• Be proficient in English (non-native English speakers or candidates whose undergraduate education was not conducted in English are required to submit an effective English proficiency proof)
• Be in healthy physical conditions and carry no infectious diseases which may have a serious impact on public health

Scholarship Coverage

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce will provide "Chinese Government Scholarships" to admitted students from developing countries. The scholarship covers both tuition and living expenses, and the school offers free accommodation during the one-year study duration. The scholarship also includes one-round-trip international airfare for all students and a settlement allowance of 3000RMB/person.

Application Procedure

The application procedure involves the following steps:

1. Application to Sun Yat-sen University: Visit the university's website and submit the completed application form online.
2. Submission of Materials: Submit the required materials, including the application form, formal bachelor's degree certificates, official transcripts, plan of study and research in China, CV, recommendation letters, English language proficiency test results, photocopy of a valid passport, physical examination form and result, recent bareheaded photo, and non-criminal record.
3. Verification: The Commercial Affairs Department of the Chinese Embassy will verify the original files of documents.

Deadline of Application

The application deadline is June 6, 2025.

Program Details

• Course Arrangement: The program includes compulsory courses and elective courses.
• Teaching Method: The program applies multidisciplinary perspectives emphasizing both theoretical and methodological training.
• Thesis: Students must write a thesis and successfully defend it orally to obtain an MPA degree.
• Degree Conferral: A degree on Master of Public Administration will be conferred upon a candidate after successful completion of required Chinese language proficiency, credits, and degree thesis.