July 26, 2002

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HONOLULU — On Friday, July 26, the 2001-2002 Japan-focused MBA (JEMBA) and China-focused MBA (CHEMBA) class celebrated their completion of one year of studies at JAIMS and the College of Business Administration (CBA), University of Hawaii at Manoa. The class of 25 participants bid their farewells to staff, faculty, and friends at the annual Aloha Luncheon.

Guest speaker, Stephen Olsen, acting president of the Pacific Basin Economic Council, imparted some last words of wisdom to the JEMBA and CHEMBA students.

"As graduates of JEMBA and CHEMBA, you are uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between the East and West," he said. "You have perspectives that will give you an edge to bringing about much needed change in both systems."

Awards were presented to students who excelled in their classes and in the final week's competitions. The JEMBA Speech Competition Grand Prize and the honor of being commencement speaker went to Ryan Armstrong for "Saakuru Obu Raifu Wo Tabi Shite (Walking the Circle of Life)". Tied for grand prize for the CHEMBA Speech Competition were Chak Shing Alfred Chow and Diana Jean Reyes.

The Francis A. Wong Award for Leadership was bestowed upon Kazuo Miura for his "promising entrepreneurial skills as evidenced by demonstrative initiative and leadership qualities."

The Funika Scholarship, established by Nuri Sozkesen (JMP-11 and AMP-23) and his wife Ilknur, was presented to Vincent Chan.

The students, with classes now completed, will embark on perhaps the most significant portion of their JEMBA and CHEMBA year: the internship. Students will leave for a three-month business internship at a company in Japan or China, many hoping to attain permanent positions at the companies. This year's class is the twelfth JEMBA class and the fifth CHEMBA class to complete their studies.

The next class of JEMBA and CHEMBA has already begun their studies in August.