Higher Education
Hawaii's New Pacific Vision
The University of Hawaii's New President Evan Dobelle Promises to Significantly Strengthen Regional Programs and Ties.
Hawaii and the Pacific. That’s a theme that’s been a factor in Hawaii politics and business since the late 19th Century, if not before. In recent years, however, as Hawaii sank into a prolonged economic downturn, much of state’s focus turned inwards to the detriment of regional relations. That period of introspection may be over. In mid-July, at his first major public address since being named the University of Hawaii’s 12th president, Evan S. Dobelle outlined an aggressive vision for the future of the huge university system in which the Asia Pacific region, and the Pacific Islands in particular, are to play a central role.
Dobelle’s speech to the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii drew nearly 1,400 people. This is an excerpt of his speech:
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The University of Hawaii has the potential to be a unique bridge between East and West. No other university in the world is better positioned by geography or programs to fulfill this purpose. We have a special role to play. And as we play it, the benefits to our students, to the economy of Hawaii and to international understanding between nations, are almost limitless. ...
We must renew and enhance our commitment to international education. We have broad expertise on Asia, the Pacific Rim and the Pacific Ocean regions. Our contacts across these regions are numerous and strong. We can, and should be, a resource for the state, the nation, the region and the world. But we do not yet have a coherent plan or vision of what international education should be at this university and what our international role should be. This is a plan that I intend to develop.
We have so much opportunity and potential that we can tap into as we address this question. Already we have faculty who are internationally focused in their teaching and research. The research we do in agriculture, biotechnology, climate changes and other fields can and does have direct effect on the lives in developing countries and nations. As a comprehensive, multi-campus system offering educational services that range broadly from vocational training to graduate research, our university can serve as a model for countries and nations seeking to expand their post-secondary educational capabilities.
We welcome international students from over 70 nations. Many return to serve and lead their communities with the knowledge they acquire here ... Visiting scholars come to us from all over the world to conduct research that raises the world’s understanding and appreciation of the heavens above, the seas surrounding us, the earth beneath our feet. The world comes to us – to Hawaii – to learn and to generate knowledge on behalf of the global community ...
Our potential is limitless. We have much still to accomplish. For example, our state shares common history, culture and challenges with the peoples (6.8 million) who inhabit the 10,000 islands scattered within the 21 countries and territories of the Pacific Ocean. Aside from Guam, we are the only U.S. public university in this vast Oceania; we can and must serve as the intellectual center as well as the source of support for the educational and economic development of the islands. The University of Hawaii’s existing expertise in Hawaiian and the Pacific Islands studies are our natural niche in our international endeavors.
We benefit as an institution and as a state – indeed we benefit as a nation – when we help to promote our ideals of democracy, freedom and justice to the peoples of the Asian-Pacific region, particularly when some are faced with economic instability, political turmoil, and social upheaval. Through applied research we can help address pressing social, economic and environmental issues in Asia and the Pacific. Some require our urgent attention – we cannot and must not fail.
The University of Hawaii has the potential to do much to help the developments of the region. For a long time Hawaii has aspired to be the heart of the Pacific. Perhaps we have become cynical about our ability to achieve this dream. But I have never spent a cynical hour in my life. It is a dream that we should not lose sight of. I am committed to providing the leadership in higher education that can help to make this vision a reality.
