CHENGDU, CHINA – From March 27–30, 2026, students from the Social Policy and Development (SPD) program stepped out of the classroom and into the heart of social innovation. The cohort traveled to Chengdu to engage in an intensive field learning experience with the Sichuan Haihui Poverty Alleviation Center, a premier Chinese social organization and a cornerstone partner for the SPD program.
This visit marks a significant milestone in a rapidly growing collaboration. On February 11, 2026, the SPD program officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Haihui. This agreement paved the way for student exchange for immersive learning, practical experience which is direct exposure to social administration and civil organization workflows, and academic synergy as a platform for professors to conduct impactful, real-world research.
During the four-day visit, students were not just observers; they were active participants in the “China Revitalization model” of social welfare. By working alongside Haihui’s experts, students gained a front-row seat to the complexities of social administration and the mechanics of modern poverty alleviation.
The SPD program remains incredibly proud of our partnership with the Sichuan Haihui Poverty Alleviation Center. We look forward to many more years of shared learning, groundbreaking research, and the continued development of the next generation of social policy leaders.