UH Hilo and Taiwan University to Host International Business/Economics Conference

Globalization and change is the theme of the First Trans-Pacific Conference on Business and Economics scheduled for September 6-8 at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. The conference, co-sponsored by Chung Yuan Christian University of Taipei, will kick off a series of international events involving the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and a consortia of private Taiwan universities.

This year's gathering will be attended by scholars from Taiwan, Korea, and Hawaiʻi, who will discuss their views on investment and economic growth, human resource management, implications of the growing significance of knowledge-based economies, globalization and ethical standards, and the roles of entrepreneurship and culture. The keynote speaker will be Dr. David McClain, dean of the College of Business Administration at UH Manoa and First Hawaiian Bank Distinguished Professor of Leadership and Management. McClain will speak at a noontime luncheon on September 7 at the hotel's Mala Ikena Room.

"This conference promises to provide a fruitful exchange of ideas," said Dr. Marcia Sakai, director of the UH Hilo School of Business. "These discussions should offer new insights into some of the most pressing global issues, while helping to build academic bridges."

The idea for the conference was developed during UH Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng's visit last spring to several Taiwan universities. Tseng, who has strong ties to the area, is highly respected by Taiwan's academic and business community. In addition to establishing student and faculty exchange programs, an agreement was reached committing the parties to collaborate on annual international events.

The conference also affirms Tseng's long-held belief that Asia and the international market represent tremendous growth potential for UH Hilo. Although final numbers have yet to be tallied, the Office of International Programs, headed by Dr. Youngki Hahn, estimates that the international student head count at UH Hilo will rise from about 240 to 300 students in the current academic year.