Gov. Christine Gregoire promotes international education exchange, meets with Japanese officials

For Immediate Release: September 21, 2005

Tokyo, Japan - September 21, 2005 - Gov. Christine Gregoire started the second day of her Asia trade mission with a signing ceremony between Pierce College, Tacoma, and Osaka College of Foreign Languages to extend their 10-year agreement for Pierce College to accept Japanese students and provide bridge programs as they matriculate to American universities.

"Education is the future of our economic vitality and it�s one of my top priorities," said Gov. Gregoire. "The outstanding partnerships between Pierce College, Bates Technical College, St. Martins University, the University of Washington and other Washington institutions and their Japanese counterparts helps our workforce remain competitive and prepares our youth to succeed in the new global economy."

Beth Willis, Trustee of Pierce College, said, �At the signing ceremony today, Dr. Naoomi Kuritani said �meeting the governor and having Osaka College recognized by the delegation from Washington state is the most important moment of my life.� The relationship between the two colleges is a perfect example of the seamless education the governor champions,� said Willis. Sen. Jim Kastama, whose district includes Pierce College, also participated in the signing ceremony.

Sandra Archibald, Dean and Professor of the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington spent the afternoon with the Vice President of Hyogo University. �The Evans School is internationally recognized for its executive education programs and we took steps today toward the Evans School partnering with Hyogo University to offer our executive Masters in Public Administration degree in Japan,� said Archibald. �It will take several years to develop but they are coming in the fall to talk to our UW faculty, and I will return to Hyogo University later this academic year to outline a proposal in more detail.�

The governor and her delegation of business and education leaders also held meetings in Kobe, which became Seattle�s sister city on October 22, 1963. The delegation toured the Kobe Medical Industry Development Project, a research center for leading biomedical technology. An educational partnership started 20 years ago between the Universities of Washington and Kobe has now expanded into research collaborations and business opportunities in the life sciences.

�Again, the connection between education, research and our economic development cannot be overstated,� said Gov. Gregoire. � The Kobe Medical Industry Development Project is a perfect example of collaboration between educational institutions and the private sector and government.�

Gov. Gregoire met over lunch with Vice Governor, Mr. Tomio Saito. The governor of Hyogo Prefectural Government, Mr. Toshizou Ido, who was just returning from China, hosted a later meeting with Gov. Gregoire at the Hyogo House in Kobe. Gov. Gregoire, Governor Ido and Vice Governor Saito discussed cherries, beef and other agricultural trade, life sciences, education, trade and business partnerships between Washington state and Hyogo.

�They showed us that Kobe has successfully transitioned economically from significant changes in manufacturing trends as well as the devastation of the 1995 earthquake,� said Rep. Bruce Chandler, who participated in the meetings.

Gov. Gregoire initiated an agreement between the two governors to exchange information and lessons learned from the earthquake and tsunamis to help both Washington state and Hyogo be better prepared in the event of a natural disaster.

Tomorrow, Gov. Gregoire will meet with an aerospace supplier, participate in a contract signing between Bates Technical College and Tokyu Homes Corporation, and conduct a promotion of Washington cherries, before heading on to China on the second leg of her trade mission.

The delegation is promoting Washington products, services, agriculture and investment opportunities, with a focus on the aerospace and food processing industries, and raising the state's visibility as a premier tourism destination. They will also visit Beijing and Shanghai, China during the 11-day trip.

For more information on the trade mission please visit the governor's website:



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