Tsinghua University successfully held the 2017 NASPAA-Batten Student Simulation Competition on food security on February 26，serving as the first Asian site authorized by NASPAA (Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration) to host this event. The global competitions also took place at seven other sites -- five in the United States, one in the Netherlands, and one in Colombia.
Competition Site at Tsinghua University
The Asian competition was prepared by the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University. Case Center Director Mu Ling worked as the site leader, responsible for organizing the event. As thesimulation leader, Associate Dean Zhu Xufeng offered participants academic advice. Assistant Professor Cao Feng from Tsinghua University, Associate Professor Chen Yumei from Jinan University, and Associate Professor Zhan Chengyu from China University of Political science and Lawserved as judges.
40 students from 12 universities across four countries competed in a day-long immersive computer simulation that challenged them to advance global food security. The participants were assigned to two simulated worlds (World 1 and World 2). In each world, students were divided into five groups, representing different world regions including South America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, West Africa and East Africa. Within each group, participants respectively acted asregionaldirector,health,environment andagricultureprogramofficers of a fictional non-governmental organizationwhich was committed to reducing global hunger, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 2 (to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030).
Students in Heated Discussion During the Competition
Students used a simulation software developed by the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. During the simulation, students embraced their roles as NGO policy professionals. They analyzed data, reacted to the computer simulation results, made policy proposals, drafted memorandums with recommendations, and presented theirfinalpolicy decisions to the judges.
Regional Director Giving the Final Presentation
The World 1 team won the competition at the Asian site. The top winner at each of the eight sites then advanced to four ‘super judges’ with broad academic and policy experience for an electronic review of videos and written material produced on the day of the competition.Inthe end,a team competed at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia claimed the global title.
The Winning Team ( World 1 ) of Asian Competition Taking Group Photo
With Site Leader Mu Ling and Simulation Leader Zhu Xufeng
During the competition, students deepened their understanding of global food security issues, and also had a glimpse of the complexities of international negotiations. Besides, the competition promoted simulation modeling in public policy education and a scientific decision-making process.
Click following url to watch the video about the interview of students.
Open the following links to see detailed competition results:
Judges, Students and Staff Taking Group Photo to Mark the Day
Simulated World 1 in Competition
Simulated World 2 in Competition
Phone: (86)-10-62788958
Email: casecenter@tsinghua.edu.cn
Address: Room 501, School of Public Policy & Management, Tsinghua University，Beijing
