Leading an historic delegation on a three-country
Asian tour, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings,
joined by Assistant Secretary of State Dina Habib
Powell and twelve U.S. university presidents, set
out to highlight the U.S. as a premier destination
for study abroad educational opportunities. Their
goal is to emphasize the desire of the U.S. government
and its colleges and universities to increase collaborations
with governments, educational institutions and businesses
in other nations.
The delegation made their first stop in Kyoto,
Japan, a cultural center recognized for the quality
of its higher education institutions. During their
time in Kyoto, the delegation met with leaders
from universities in Kyoto and Osaka. This meeting
allowed the delegation and the Japanese university
leaders to discuss a variety of international
higher education issues of interest in both the
U.S. and Japan. Further, it underscored the importance
of collaboration between the U.S. and Japan --
emphasizing two-way student exchange programs.
Following their stop in Kyoto, the delegation
traveled by “Bullet Train” to Tokyo.
The Tokyo program began with a meeting hosted
by Minister Ibuke, the newly appointed Japanese
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology. During this meeting, Secretary
Spellings and Assistant Secretary of State Powell
emphasized the desire of the U.S. to work together
with the Japanese government and institutions
of higher learning to improve education in both
countries and strengthen partnerships and exchanges
in the future.
The delegation then participated in a symposium
at Waseda University, attended by more than 250
students from various Japanese colleges and universities,
faculty and members of the academic community.
The delegation was joined by Dr. Katsuhiko Shirai,
president of Waseda University, and other university
leadership for this event, where they addressed
students’ questions on educational exchange
opportunities in the U.S. and Japan. Dr. William
Brody, president of The Johns Hopkins University,
spoke about the value of educational exchanges
- not only for the students who study abroad,
but also for the students of other cultures and
backgrounds with whom they interact both in and
out of the classroom during their experience.
Secretary Spellings and Assistant Secretary of
State Powell followed, engaging students in dialogue
emphasizing educational opportunities at the thousands
of higher education institutions in America.
The American Chamber of Commerce Japan (ACCJ)
hosted the delegation for a luncheon attended
by over 60 business leaders, where Secretary Spellings
highlighted the shared role of government and
business to ensure America’s students have
the foundation they need to succeed in today’s
workforce. She emphasized to the ACCJ members
the critical role of business as a key investor
in higher education to ensure that today’s
students are equipped to emerge as tomorrow’s
leaders. Dr. Adam Herbert, president of Indiana
University, spoke on behalf of the delegation
about the value of their relationships with Japan
and commitment to strengthening those relationships
through international business relationships,
educational opportunities, research collaborations
and study abroad programs.
Also in Tokyo, Ambassador Thomas Schieffer hosted
a reception in honor of the delegation, attended
by alumni of the U.S. Department of State’s
Fulbright and International Visitor Leadership
programs. Attended by upwards of 100 Japanese
government, higher education and business leaders,
the Ambassador praised the strong alliance between
the U.S. and Japan and highlighted this relationship
as a means for furthering educational collaborations
between our nations.
Engaging in discussion on the similarities and
differences of the higher education systems in
the U.S. and Japan, the delegation met with twelve
university presidents from Japanese higher education
institutions at the Tokyo American Center, a U.S.
government educational outreach office. Moderated
by Madam Atsuko Toyama, former Japanese education
minister, the group of twenty-four presidents
shared ideas about the value of collaborations,
partnerships and exchanges among colleges and
universities in other nations. Dr. Stephen Curtis,
president of Community College of Pennsylvania,
and Dr. John Simpson, president of State University
of New York at Buffalo, led off for the American
side of this constructive discussion.
Prior to their departure, Mr. Joseph Donovan,
Deputy Chief of Mission, hosted the delegation
and a group of prominent alumni from U.S. Government
exchange programs, for a working lunch at his
residence. Secretary Spellings and Assistant Secretary
of State Powell underscored the U.S. commitment
to increased student exchanges and collaboration
with colleges and universities in other nations.
The delegation and alumni also engaged in discussions
about education issues common to both the U.S.
and Japan.
The delegation will continue to the Republic
of Korea and Peoples Republic of China to
promote the importance of higher education
and encourage more students to study in
America.
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