Gregoire promotes educational partnerships

Washington State governor Christine Gregoire returned to her alma mater yesterday morning to stress the importance of educational partnerships between universities in Washington and Japan.

Gregoire, just back from an 11-day trade mission to Asia, gave a press conference at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs. Evans School dean, Sandra Archibald, accompanied Gregoire on her trip as part of the governor's delegation. The mission took delegates to several major cities in Japan and China, including Tokyo, Kobe, Beijing and Shanghai.

"Education is the future of our economic vitality, and it's one of my top priorities," said 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 help our workforce remain competitive and prepares our youth to succeed in the new global economy."

Public policy is a relatively new professional field in China and Japan, putting the Evans School in a unique position to influence academic development in Asia.

The Evans School expressed confidence that Asia's future leaders in public policy will be educated at the UW.

"In this knowledge economy, higher education is a major engine of growth for Washington," said a representative from Archibald's office. "I can't stress enough how eager [Japan and China] are to increase educational partnerships with UW. As the state's flagship university, we are extremely well poised to take our leadership in international education to the next level."

Gregoire's main objective in Asia was to promote a closer economic relationship between Washington, China and Japan. Japan is Washington State's largest trading partner, while China is the state's third largest market.

Washington State is "essentially the United States' doorway to China," Gregoire said.

In Shanghai, the governor rode the new magnetic levitation train, visited the future site of the 2010 World Expo, and helped Chinese shoppers pick out Washington State apples. During her visit to Beijing Gregoire spoke with State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, a leading government official.

"Washington State under your leadership stands out from other states in America," said Tang. "We attach great significance to the agreements and contracts we have with Washington State and hope they will continue to be implemented."