President Dobelle and UH Administrative Team in Asia to Strengthen Global Partnerships and Promote UH

Partnership agreement renewed today with Vietnam National University

University of Hawaiʻi President Evan S. Dobelle and President Thi of Vietnam National University (VNU) signed an agreement today renewing an academic partnership between the two universities for five years. Dobelle is currently traveling through Asia with a team of administrators as a demonstration of the University‘s firm commitment to building a world-class global institution.

A unique aspect of the relationship between UH and VNU is the highly regarded executive MBA program operated by the UH Mānoa College of Business Administration through the Hanoi School of Business at VNU. The MBA program, launched in fall 2001, currently has 40 Vietnamese and international students enrolled.

"This agreement builds upon our groundbreaking academic relationship in Vietnam," Dobelle said. "President Thi has committed to expanding our partnership well beyond the MBA program. A VNU delegation will visit UH in January demonstrating that this agreement will continue to generate concrete programs."

In addition to this visit to Vietnam, Dobelle and the team of administrators will visit Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan, in an effort to better understand these various countries situations, provide greater exposure to UH‘s vast programs, reconnect with UH alumni, meet with UH partner institutions and explore new partnerships.

The UH Board of Regents recently adopted a new strategic plan that directs the University to expand its global partnerships and linkages. One of the goals outlined in the plan is to "transform the international profile of the University of Hawaiʻi system as a distinguished resource in
Hawaiian and Asian-Pacific affairs, positioning it as one of the world‘s foremost multicultural centers for global and indigenous studies."

"With the Board‘s recently adopted strategic plan for the UH system strongly supporting global initiatives, we are now focusing on emerging markets — particularly Southeast Asia — which we believe has great potential for UH," said Dobelle. "Our current relationships in this region are a high priority for UH and we hope to strengthen and expand our affiliations with institutions, businesses and entrepreneurs here, many of whom are UH alumni."

Joining Dobelle on the trip are Senior Vice President for International Education Joyce Tsunoda, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Deane Neubauer, Vice President for External Affairs and University Relations Paul Costello, Chief of Staff and University General Counsel Walter Kirimitsu, Senior Advisor to the President for Global Affairs Michael Lestz, and Office of International Affairs Director Jenny Samaan.

Other highlights of the trip include:

· Meetings with presidents at National University of Singapore, University of Malaysia, and Chulalongkorn University,

· Exploring expanded relationships with Hanoi University of Foreign Studies and the University of Malaysia, in addition to the partnership with Vietnam National University,

· Meetings with consular officials to gain an understanding of visa challenges post 9/11 for students and scholars,

· Visits with various foundations including the Ford Foundation, Asia Foundation and meeting with Atlantic Philanthropies, and

· Meetings with government officials including the Minister of Education in Thailand where the UH Community Colleges have been engaged in training educators.

The group returns to Honolulu on October 8.