University of Hawaiʻi College of Business Administration Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE)

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Shawn Nakamoto, (808) 956-9095
University & Community Relations
Kristen Cabral, (808) 956-5039
University & Community Relations
Posted: Dec 12, 2001

Co-operation in major educational programs envisioned



The University of Hawaiʻi and the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics have entered into an agreement to cooperate on international programs in the areas of business administration, finance, accounting, information technology management and related fields.

David McClain, dean and First Hawaiian Bank Distinguished Professor of Leadership and Management at the UH College of Business Administration, and Sun Zheng, vice president at SUFE, signed the agreement in ceremonies today in Shanghai. Hawaiʻi Governor Ben Cayetano was also in attendance.

The agreement is a result of State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) efforts to facilitate education and training partnerships between China and the UH Manoa. The exchange of scholars, students and academic information resulting from this agreement will benefit educational programs at both universities. Selected SUFE students will study at UH CBA for one semester or one year as part of their SUFE degree program.

"The College of Business Administration at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa is recognized for its expertise in international business with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region, and we are committed to strengthening this expertise," said dean McClain. "We expect that the research, education and training exchanges between Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and our college will significantly contribute to our programs.

" McClain added, "We are also committed to supporting SUFE's effort to expand its activities globally as it works with the University of Hawaiʻi to further develop academic and business partnerships between China and other institutions in the United States."

UH Regent Bert Kobayashi is the senior executive representing the University of Hawaiʻi during this portion of the China trip. "We welcome this new opportunity to work with Shanghai University of Finance and Economics to increase educational and business exchanges between China and the United States." Kobayashi said. "The University of Hawaiʻi has always welcomed students from our neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region. This has made UH an attractive and comfortable location for Asian scholars and students to pursue their studies away from home."

"We know that our faculty and students will benefit from the opportunity to work and study here in Shanghai with their colleagues at SUFE," Kobayashi added. "We look forward to developing a fruitful and long-lasting relationship."

For the University of Hawaiʻi, the trip is more than an opportunity to explore new opportunities. UH already has numerous formal and informal ties to China businesses and educational institutions, and ongoing discussions may yield new opportunities to offer training and advice for such things as visitor industry expertise prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

This agreement signing is part of the Aloha China! business development mission sponsored by DBEDT. Representatives of Hawaiʻi government, private enterprise and education are participating in presentations in Beijing (Dec. 3-5), Shanghai (Dec. 5-9), Guangzhou (Dec. 9-11) and Hong Kong (Dec. 11-14). The mission seeks to (1) facilitate strategic partnerships between Hawaii firms/organizations and those in China, especially in technology, training, and tourism training and infrastructure development; and (2) make Hawaii a destination of choice for Chinese officials, professionals and corporations seeking continuing education opportunities.

#