EUGENE–University of Oregon Provost John Moseley attended a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) that focused on ways to develop a strong, educated work force in Pacific Rim nations. Moseley represented UO President Dave Frohnmayer at the May 15—16 APEC meeting in Beijing.

While in Japan and China, Moseley and Tom Mills, UO interim vice provost for international affairs, visited a number of universities. The visits were arranged to support the exchange programs between the UO and schools and colleges in China and Japan.

"China stands poised to participate in the information age. The UO is committed to fostering relations that will strengthen the skills of Asian students and faculty, and provide the international experiences our students will need in today’s global economy," says Moseley.

While in Japan, Moseley and Mills made stops at the Daido Institute of Technology, Waseda University and the Japan Women’s University. The Beijing visit included a meeting with officials and students at the Central University for Nationalities and at Beijing University.

Jiang Zemin, president of the Republic of China and His Majesty, the Sultan of Brunei, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, hosted the high-level gathering of the 21 APEC members to discuss cooperation in human resource development. Both leaders addressed the conference at its opening session and attended a banquet in the Great Hall of the People.

The conference brought together heads of state and representatives from business and education to work on strategic options for the development of human resources in the region. APEC will use the results of the meeting to develop a plan to foster global integration in the region.

"The interest in this conference here in Beijing has been very high," Moseley reports. "It’s been front page news here all week."

Prior to the APEC conference, Moseley attended a conference on distance learning hosted by the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) in Kyoto, Japan. APRU was formed in 1997 to stimulate cooperation among the member universities in the areas of teaching and research. The UO is one of only 34 universities which belong to the elite organization.

The APEC forum was established in 1989 to promote open trade and practical economic cooperation. Its goal is to advance economic integration throughout the Pacific Rim and to sustain economic growth among its 21 member economies.

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