The China-OECD LLM Programme on Taxation is facilitated and funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China through the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, the State Tax Administration and the OECD. We are privileged to have been taught by the best of the best in the area of international tax and tax administration. The programme is taught by renowned experts from the OECD, IBFD and Xiamen University among others. The programme also incorporates practical training which is facilitated by experts and practitioners from the State Tax Administration, audit firms such as Ernst and Young, private practitioners and different country subject matter experts from the USA, Australia, China, India and the EU. The second part of the practical training is hosted by the National Tax Institute in Yangzhou in conjunction with the OECD and also incorporates a rich internship programme in Beijing and Shanghai. This provided us with an all-round rich experience of learning which is unique to this course. The course also incorporates course units to help students better understand the Chinese language, history and culture.

As the pioneer class, we were privileged to attend the 3^rd China- Africa Economic and Trade Expo Forum in Changsha where a number of us participated in the panel discussions in the High- Level Seminar on the Pilot Zone for In-depth China- Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation – Seminar on China – Africa Tax Administration Innovation and Technical Cooperation. We were able to interact with a number of practitioners and high-level government officials in the area of international tax and tax administration as well as share country experiences and lessons.

Xiamen University and the Faculty of Law have been a wonderful host for the programme with wonderful and very helpful staff who have made our stay quite comfortable and easy. The university boasts of top-notch facilities such as a serene and beautiful environment, a well equipped library for research and of course without forgetting the hospitality and kindness of its people.

On a personal note, my expectations of the LLM Programme on Taxation were exceedingly met and I believe that the exchange of knowledge, expertise and international cooperation from the different stakeholders has enhanced my expertise in international tax and I will be able to use this knowledge and experience beneficially when I return back to my home country. I recommend this programme to any practicing tax official who is interested in being a subject matter expert in the area of international taxation as it offers not only a rich versatile teaching experience taught by the best subject matter experts, but it also incorporates practical aspects of learning which may not be provided by other institutions.

Lynn Ankunda Nuwagaba, Tax Policy Expert, Uganda Revenue Authority, Class of 2022