The NPO Research Center of the Renmin University of China (NPORUC), founded in 2007, is affiliated to the School of Public Administration (SPA), Renmin University of China. At present, there is one professor, two associate professors, four guest research fellows as well as over twenty graduate Master and PHD students.
The Founding and current Director of the Center is Professor Kang Xiaoguang who is a prominent researcher in areas of the third sector, state-society relationship, political development and political stability, etc. and has a wide range of publications in the important academic journals both home and abroad. He also sits on quite a number of Chinese NGOs' boards and has made great contributions to the development of the NPOs and the construction of civil society in China.
Today’s China is undergoing tremendous changes in its social structure. Huge transformations have taken place in state-social relationship, forms of social structure as well as the situation of the NPOs. They will also influence the political, economic and cultural aspects of China. Although the changes are quite comprehensive and deep, they are far from accomplished. What’s more, the future picture doesn’t look so clear. This uncertainty will have a significant impact on China’s future.
The Renmin University of China is boasted of its research and teaching in humanities and social sciences in China. Compared with other institutions of higher learning, its SPA is of leading status in term of its history, size, research and teaching qualities. Realizing the significance of research on social change to China and the world, and to improve public administration program and contribute to the development of the NPOs, in April, 2007, SPA officially launched the NPO Research Center and has committed to strong support in staff, finance, teaching and research. Since its establishment, the Center’s teaching and research have achieved rapid and sound development thanks to the advantages brought in by other related areas in the Renmin University of China (for instance, Sociology, Political Science, Law, Economics, Journalism, History, Philosophy, etc.).
The Center is headed by the Director as the executive. The Board is the highest decision-making body, composed of leading experts and scholars in NPO issues both in China and abroad. They will not only provide advice and recommendations to the development of the Center, but also will bring a wide range of external resources to the Center, including knowledge, funding and partners.
The Center has developed comprehensive and substantial cooperation with some well-known universities and institutions in China and abroad, to name a few, the Research Center for Chinese Politics and Business in University of Indiana, USA, the Institute of Innovative Governance, France, the Central University of Taiwan, etc. The Center has enjoyed funding support from the Ford Foundation, the Asian Foundation, Oxfam HK, UNDP, the World Bank, China Youth Development Foundation, and China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, etc. Its productions have made great impact on the state decision-making, social awareness and the social practice of the NPOs.