LAIE, Hawaii — BYU-Hawaii faculty, staff and students successfully hosted approximately 300 international members of the Global Chinese Society for Computers in Education on campus from June 6-9 during the group's ninth-annual, but first-ever, conference outside of Asia.
"From all aspects, I think the conference was a success, both in the paper quality as well as the other functions," said GCSCE organizing chairman Dr. Tak-wai Chan of Taiwan Central University. "One surprising thing to us, this was supposed to be a western place, but somehow this conference inherited the spirit here. It's not only the mountains and the beaches, but you have a human paradise here."
Dr. Chan also praised the BYU-Hawaii students who helped with the conference, acting as hosts, translators and emcees, which is partially the reaction BYU-Hawaii intended to create.
"When we were bidding to be the host, some of the key Asian academics were skeptical about even building a relationship with a Mormon school," said Dr. Yee-Kong Peter Chan (no relation), a BYU-Hawaii alumnus originally from China who is now assistant professor of instructional design and development at his alma mater. "Through negotiations, relationships and proof of our academic credentials, they were willing to 'give it a try.' Since then, such academic recognitions have opened some doors for us and our students."
Dr. Peter Chan explained most Chinese people generally have great respect for their own universities but don't know anything about the Church's schools. "When they see that their top universities are having connections with BYU-Hawaii, they will also better respect us," he said. "When they associate BYU-Hawaii with the Church, they will also better respect the Church."
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle delivered a welcoming message via video to the conference.
She was traveling at the time as part of a delegation to China that included BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway and Polynesian Cultural Center President Von D. Orgill.
