Welcoming the Inaugural Class of the East-West Knowledge Leaders Program (EWKLP) 2008 Fall

In September 2008, JAIMS welcomed the inaugural class of the East-West Knowledge Leaders Program (EWKLP).  This diverse group of 25 students represents Australia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.  The EWKLP experience synthesizes the “global best practices” of the East and West.  Additionally, Hawaii--being the center of the Asia-Pacific arena--offers participants diverse, enriching, and multicultural learning opportunities and experiences. 

In the past three months, these students have excelled in all aspects of the program.  Although their course schedule was intensive and rigorous, the students balanced their studies with extracurricular activities.  Invited lecturers shared their knowledge and experiences with the students on topics such as East-West Philosophy and Religions, IT Innovations, and Doing Business in Asia. 

In December, the group said their good-byes to JAIMS and each other, returned to their home countries, and went their separate ways--but they will never forget eachother and their experiences.   Although all initially came from different backgrounds, lifestyles and careers, the students were brought together by the EWKLP and they were all able to experience the truest form of cross-cultural relations....friendship.

The exceptional Instructional Team for the EWKLP:

“Corporate Finance and Capital Markets”-- Sherman Abe, Hitotsubashi University

“The Art of Negotiation”-- John Barkai, University of Hawaii Manoa Law School                          

“Organizing Work” -- Bill Fischer, IMD

“Business Law”-- Iris R. Okawa, Law Office of Iris R. Okawa, Attorney-at-law, A Law Corporation           

“Globalizing Hawaii”-- Jonathan Osorio, University of Hawaii Manoa, Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies

“Leadership and Ethics”-- Larry E. Smith, President, Christopher, Smith, & Associates, LLC

“Global Marketing Management”-- Masaaki “Mike” Kotabe, Temple University         

“Economic and Financial Environment of Global Business”-- Jack Suyderhoud, University of Hawaii Manoa, Shidler College of Business

“Knowledge Management and Innovation”-- Ikujiro Nonaka, Professor Emeritus, Hitotsubashi Univerisity

“Strategy in Emerging Markets”-- Zhichang Zhu, University of Hull Business School

“Special Topics: Capstone Project”-- Blair M.T. Odo, JAIMS and John Creech, Director--International Business Development, Snap-On Tools International, LLC.

As global business opportunities increase throughout the world, JAIMS trains individuals who wish to obtain knowledge, skills, and experiences that are essential for success in the international arena.  The EWKLP’s three-month curriculum is intended to sharpen one’s business savvy and build confidence for dealing with global business situations while also minimizing time away from the participant’s career.  The ‘holistic’ program integrates business knowledge and skills training with aspects of liberal arts foundation that also includes disciplines such as religion, culture, philosophy, and history. 

For more information on the EWKLP and scholarship opportunities, please go to www.jaims.org/leadership.