July 2010
Community and International Outreach
In the past month, I’ve had the opportunity to share the university’s goals and objectives and some of the good things that we’ve been working on with a number of community groups and business organizations, including the Hawai‘i Economic Association, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and the Organization of Women Leaders.
I also participated in the East-West Center’s very successful 50th Anniversary International Conference where I was a panel presenter and part of a great discussion on the challenges and opportunities in higher education with a global perspective. It was a wonderful conference, and I extend my congratulations to the East-West Center for putting it together and on celebrating its 50th anniversary.
I also recently traveled to Japan, where I was invited to speak at a symposium of the National Women’s Education Center of Japan focused on advancing women scientists in Japan. I had the opportunity to meet with our ambassador to Japan and with officials from the Japanese Ministry of Science and Technology. These opportunities help us lay the groundwork for strategic alliances with Japan, and I look forward to more discussions on collaborative efforts.
Campus news from my July report
- 2011 APEC Hawai‘i Host Committee Update
- Funds for West O‘ahu and Hawai‘i CC
- Construction Procurement Advisory Committee
- Kudos to UH administrators
- Hilo telescope captures first images
- National honors for Manoa faculty and staff
- Senator Inouye recognizes UH West O‘ahu
- Ocean exploration with the Hokule‘a
- Respiratory therapy students lobby
- New environmental challenges course
- Pumping energy into Maui campus
UH System News
Shareen Poeopoe is the first respiratory therapist pathway graduate
Respiratory therapy students lobby successfully
Students and faculty in Kapi‘olani Community College’s respiratory therapy program were instrumental in lobbying efforts that resulted in Gov. Lingle’s recent signing of the Respiratory Therapist Licensure Bill. Hawai‘i is now among 49 states that regulate through licensure the profession of respiratory care. The Kapi‘olani students testified many times, made trips to the state capitol and learned the process for creating a bill and turning it into a law.
This ties in closely with program’s goals for the dual-enrollment, dual-admission program with UH West O‘ahu in terms of future workforce development for the profession and positions both Kapi‘olani and UH West O‘ahu to grow into statewide partners with industry in meeting the increasing need for multi-skilled, licensed professional respiratory therapists.
