NCPA Hosts Successful Conclusion of Swiss Asian Summer School (SASS) in Public Administration 2025

The Swiss Asian Summer School (SASS) in Public Administration 2025, which was hosted for the first time by the Nanyang Centre for Public Administration (NCPA) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) from 14 July to 20 July 2025 concluded successfully in Singapore.  

Founded by the Swiss School of Public Administration at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, the programme continues to serve as a key platform for fostering international academic collaboration in the field of public administration. This year’s edition welcomed more than 30 doctoral students from seven partner universities: the University of Lausanne (Switzerland), Seoul National University and Yonsei University (South Korea), Renmin University of China, Sun Yat-sen University (China), Chiang Mai University (Thailand), and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).

On 14 July 2025, Professor Liu Hong, Associate Vice President (International Engagement) and Director (Research & Executive Education), NCPA, and Associate Professor Wang Jue, Director, NCPA officiated the opening ceremony. In their welcome addresses, they emphasised the programme’s role in bridging international scholarship and preparing emerging leaders for the dynamic challenges of public administration.

The SASS represents a transformative platform—fostering cross-cultural dialogue, innovative research partnerships, and the development of future-ready scholars committed to advancing public governance worldwide.

Prof Wang introduced the mission of NCPA and highlighted the summer school’s role in enabling the exchange of ideas and fostering long-term academic relationships. She noted that the programme provides doctoral students with a valuable opportunity to broaden their educational horizons, deepen their research perspectives, and establish long-term professional networks.

Prof Liu remarked that, although participants come from different academic backgrounds, they share a common goal: to contribute to good governance through research, innovation, and collaboration. He emphasised the importance of locally adapted strategies, resilient governance systems, and continued international dialogue in addressing complex policy challenges. He added that the pursuit of adaptability, mutual learning, and practical idealism remains at the heart of governance evolution. 

In addition to academic exchanges among doctoral students and faculty, the programme featured special lectures delivered by distinguished practitioners and scholars. On 18 July 2025, NCPA organised a seminar on Generative AI Utility in Research: Opportunities and Challenges, where Dr Arash Hajikhani, Head of the Business Forecasting and Strategy team at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Adjunct Professor at Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT), Finland, delivered the keynote lecture. An expert in innovation and technology management, Dr. Hajikhani provided a comprehensive overview of emerging trends in artificial intelligence, with a focus on large language models (LLMs) and their integration into academic and organisational workflows. Drawing on practical case studies, the session offered participants insights into the evolving applications of AI in research and public service.

To complement the academic curriculum, the doctoral students went on a series of specially curated cultural and educational excursions, to the Sustainable Singapore Gallery, Gardens by the Bay and a weekend tour to immersed them in the rich Peranakan (Nyonya) heritage, offering a vibrant glimpse into Singapore’s multicultural tapestry

The Swiss Asian Summer School in Public Administration 2025, concluded on a high note, with a gala dinner at the picturesque Raffles Marina, celebrating the students’ accomplishments and the programme’s successful completion.