The School of Public Administration (School of Emergency Management) has grown from its early focus on social sciences into a leading institution in governance and crisis management. With origins dating back to the mid-20th century, it now operates 3 academic departments (Administrative Management, Land Resource Management, and Emergency Management), 1 specialized research institute, and a professional MPA education center. The faculty comprises 69 members, including 46 senior academics (23 professors and 23 associate professors), with 92% holding doctoral degrees. Among them are recipients of distinguished awards such as the National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award and seats on international academic committees.
The School offers comprehensive degree programs, currently educating over 2,000 students. This includes 900 undergraduates and 1,100 graduate students, with international scholars comprising part of the student body. Three undergraduate programs maintain particularly strong reputations: Land Resource Management and Administrative Management have been designated as National First-Class Majors, while the newer Emergency Management program has rapidly risen to become the nation's second-ranked in its field. At the graduate level, the School confers degrees through 6 distinct doctoral tracks and multiple master's specializations within its first-level discipline of Public Administration.
Research productivity remains exceptionally high, with faculty having secured more than 100 major grants in recent years. These include projects funded by national science foundations, key technology development programs, and social science initiatives. Academic output includes over 1,000 publications in top-tier journals such as Science and Land Use Policy, alongside 60 policy reports adopted by government agencies. The School's research has been recognized with 30 provincial/ministerial-level awards for contributions to both theoretical and applied knowledge.
The Emergency Management divisionrepresents a particularly robust sector, with 91 faculty members (including 51 professors) supporting 1,200 students across all degree levels. Its Safety Engineering program holds triple recognition as a National First-Class Major, National Characteristic Specialty, and Provincial Brand Specialty. Research infrastructure includes 8 specialized laboratories and think tanks focusing on critical areas like disaster prevention and industrial safety. Recent accomplishments include leadership on 200+ research projects, 426 invention patents, and 6 national-level science and technology awards. Faculty have produced 1,500 high-impact papers and 50 scholarly monographs, with several receiving national book awards.
Professional training forms another key pillar of the School's mission. Its certified safety training programs have educated over 1,100 industry professionals through 32 specialized courses. The curriculum covers emerging challenges including cybersecurity, smart infrastructure, and complex disaster response. This combination of academic rigor and practical engagement has established the School as a vital contributor to global discussions on effective governance and crisis preparedness.
Through its multidimensional approach—combining degree programs, cutting-edge research, and professional development—the School maintains an annual research expenditure exceeding $5 million and sustains active collaborations with peer institutions in 15 countries. These efforts have positioned it as a key player in addressing 21st century challenges in public administration and emergency response.
