This June, four members of Duke Kunshan University’s MSc in Global Health Program, Class of 2026, completed their course week in Geneva as part of the Duke Global Policy (DGP) Program—a signature summer initiative from Duke University.
The program offers an immersive platform for experiential learning in global governance. Through field trips to international organizations, policy workshops, simulations, and case competitions, it provides students a unique opportunity to engage directly with the frontline of global policymaking.
The Duke Global Policy (DGP) Program, organized by Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, selects graduate students and early-career professionals from around the world. Held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, this weeklong program features a unique dual-track “academic + practice” training model with three specialized tracks: Global Health, Humanitarian Action, and International Trade Policy. The curriculum is designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of critical global issues, including multilateral negotiations, global health financing, and humanitarian cooperation.
During the course week, the four MSc students participated in over 20 field trips to various international organizations. These included the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the Global Fund, as well as think tanks and partnership organizations such as the South Centre and the WHO’s Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH). Through in-depth expert dialogues and interactive case discussions, the students gained insights into the operational mechanics of international bodies and examined policy and practical challenges in global governance.
“Before joining the program, my understanding of global health was mostly limited to disease prevention and access to medical services. However, after visiting various organizations, I realized that achieving global health heavily depends on cross-sector collaboration, sustainable financing strategies, and effective crisis response mechanisms. Engaging with peers from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America further helped me appreciate the critical value of culturally sensitive solutions and the unique role of local leadership in the global decision-making system.”
— Tarra Tjandra
“This summer program provided me with a systematic understanding of how international organizations function. I was deeply impressed by the dedication of global health professionals, which solidified my multidimensional perspective on the field.”
— Ye He
“Health is not only about health. It extends far beyond disease prevention and treatment to encompass capital flows, institutional dynamics, and the reshaping of global governance structures. The DGP Program allowed me to examine global health through the lens of international trade, specifically via a field study on ‘investment cases.’ It also provided firsthand insight into how current anti-globalization trends pose a challenge to the financing mechanisms of international organizations. To genuinely advance health equity, we must cultivate interdisciplinary perspectives, employ systemic thinking, and identify stabilizing forces amidst global uncertainty.”
— Yunsen Zhu
To encourage more DKU students to step onto the global stage, Duke Kunshan University has established the International Organization Career Development Scholarship, which supports DKU students in pursuing internships at international organizations, with awards of up to RMB 50,000. (Click here for details:https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/b8km280tsn7OtMMI4RJMDQ)
“The Duke Global Policy (DGP) Program is one of Duke University’s flagship summer initiatives. We encourage our students to apply, as it provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with multilateral governance, broaden their horizons, and reflect on future career paths.”
— Qian Long, Associate Professor of Global Health, Director of Graduate Studies for the Master of Science in Global Health Program
Related Reading
He Ye: The Power of Collective Efforts – Global Health | Duke Kunshan University
Written by Ruoning Feng
