UH System project to address quality in higher education in the APEC region

UH will host an invitational symposium to discuss efforts throughout the region

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Kristen Bonilla, (808) 956-5039
External Affairs and University Relations
Joanne Taira, (808) 956-4367
Academic Affairs
Posted: Mar 14, 2011

HONOLULU – A proposal developed by the University of Hawai‘i System to address quality higher education and training in the Asia-Pacific region has been approved and supported by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). As part of the project, higher education leaders and stakeholders from the region will gather in Honolulu in August for a three-day symposium designed to identify and share benchmarks and encourage collaborative efforts.
 
Entitled “Quality in Higher Education: Identifying, Developing and Sustaining Best Practices in the APEC Region,” the project will address the topic of quality in higher education as a foundation for long-term inclusive growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. The planning group, chaired by UH Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost Linda Johnsrud and East-West Center Director of Educational Programs Terry Bigalke, was proposed to APEC on behalf of the United States.
 
“The University of Hawai‘i is honored that APEC has chosen to support this project and we look forward to the gathering of higher education leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region in Honolulu in August,” said UH President M.R.C. Greenwood. “This will be a tremendous opportunity for the University of Hawai‘i and the state to demonstrate its leadership and expertise in advance of the Leaders' Summit in November.”
 
Ensuring quality in higher education is a vital concern to economies throughout the APEC region and in an interconnected global marketplace. At this invitational symposium, solicited papers from universities, governments and stakeholders throughout the APEC region will be presented on this topic.
 
“APEC has limited project money so the decision to provide funds to support this UH project testifies to the quality of the project and its relevance to the Asia-Pacific region,” said Lauren Kahea Moriarty, former U.S. Ambassador to APEC and a UH alumna.
 
Joanne Taira, project director, indicated that the invited participants will have the opportunity to discuss case studies and specific practices as well as issues related to scaling up and sustaining quality efforts throughout the region. Discussions will focus on defining quality and quality assurance, regional and country exemplars, the role of rankings and the global university endeavor.
 
The Honolulu discussions are intended to establish an ongoing network for discussion and continued development of best practices and sustainability within national and local higher education environments in the APEC region.
 
This is part of the goal of APEC’s education activities to foster strong and vibrant learning systems across APEC member economies, promote education for all, and strengthen the role of education in promoting social, individual, economic and sustainable development.