Introduction:Keith H. Sakuda is a professor of management and international relations at the University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu. His research interests are international virtual exchange, cross-cultural management, and social entrepreneurship. He has also held faculty appointments at Chongqing Technology & Business University (China) and Kansai Gaidai University (Japan) and served as an external reviewer for Hong Kong Baptist University’s College of International Education.
His consulting experiences include sustainable agricultural projects in Hawai'i, Tahiti, China, the U.S., and Japan. He co-founded an award-winning social enterprise which sought to promote food sovereignty in the Pacific Islands through aquaponics and coordinated distributed agriculture.The company was featured in international media, including Fast Company, The Guadian, and National Geographic, and he was invited to speak about it at Harvard University’s Social Entrepreneurship Conference and Fish 2.0 at Stanford University.
Welcome Message:Fukuoka e Yōkoso!Welcome to Fukuoka!
On behalf of the Higher Education Forum (HEF) it is my pleasure to welcome you to Fukuoka, Japan.As local host for the conference, I encourage all delegates to enjoy the wonders of Fukuoka while engaging in our exchange of scholarship and research.
Fukuoka is Japan’s gateway to Asia. Its ideal location, excellent transportation networks, multilingual resources, and incredible people make Fukuoka a true international city.The endless opportunities for international business, study abroad programs, tourism, and other exchanges keeps Fukuoka moving forward in its embrace of all things international and multicultural.
Fukuoka has a tremendous sense of history and tradition.The Fukuoka City Museum exhibits the history of the prefecture and proudly displays the King of Na gold seal, a national cultural treasure believed to be traced back to China’s Han dynasty.Just outside of the city is DazaifuTenmangū, a shrine associated with academic success and the mystical flying plum tree.Neighboring the shrine is the Kyushu National Museum, currently featuring a special exhibit on Japan’s haniwa (terracotta) sculptures.Both the shrine and museum offer opportunities to learn about the region’s unique history and culture.
For those more interested in more contemporary pursuits, our conference venue is in the heart of Tenjin, a district known for shopping and dining.Other popular locations, including MARK IS FUKUOKA MOMOCHI, CANAL CITY HAKATA, and JR HAKATA CITY AMU PLAZA, can be easily accessed via Fukuoka’s convenient subway system.
Fukuoka, like our conference, is all about international exchange and experiencing a diversity of cultures, thoughts, and people.Make the most of the opportunity to learn from our colleagues and the host city. Together we can make it a successful conference.
Enjoy!
