Government of Alberta News Release October 6, 1997 Edmonton, Alberta "Education, like the society it serves, must continue to evolve to meet the needs of students in a changing world. It is vital we work together-sharing common concerns, ideas and opportunities to address the increasing globalization of our economies and cultures." Gary G. Mar Minister of Education Global education the focus of Asian trip Gary Mar, Minister of Education, will be travelling to Japan to attend the Pacific Education Conference with an Alberta delegation of 33 students, teachers and parents as part of the Premier's Mission to Asia, October 7 - 23. The conference, held October 14 and 15, is the first of its kind and will bring together participants from Japan, the United States, Australia and Alberta. Mar will also travel to China, including Hong Kong. He will be promoting both the Alberta and Canadian education systems, and meeting with leaders to share Alberta's experiences and successes, as well as discussing global issues facing education. Alberta educational institutions are well recognized throughout the world for their high quality and standards. About 1400 foreign students studied in Alberta high schools last year and about 2491foreign students attended Alberta universities and colleges in 1994 - 1995. The Minister's trip to Japan will also include meetings with the Governor of Hokkaido, senior officials of the Hokkaido and Sapporo Boards of Education, visits to schools, and participation in the Canadian Education Fairs in Tokyo and Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Mar will participate as a panel member at the Corporate Training Forum on October 17, giving an address on Canadian education initiatives in Asia. About 50 Hong Kong companies and 25 Canadian education institutions will be involved in the forum. The quality of Canadian education and its value to the community will be the topic of a speech at the Canadian Education Fair in Hong Kong on October 18. Designed to help Canadian institutions recruit foreign students, the fair is held in nine countries and attracts thousands of participants. On the final leg of his trip, Mar will make a two-day stopover in China where he will represent Premier Ralph Klein at the Taishan Convention, a homecoming for people of Chinese descent. The celebration will involve 5000 delegates representing 48 countries. As part of the opening ceremonies, the Minister will speak on the importance of Alberta's and China's strong cultural ties and highlight mutual business, education and economic opportunities. Mar will be accompanied on the trip by his executive assistant, Kelley Charlebois. LeRoy Johnson, M.L.A. Wetaskiwin-Camrose will join the Minister at the Pacific Education Conference in Japan. Costs for the trip are estimated at $37 400 and are broken down as follows: airfare estimated at $16 750, accommodation at $12 650, meals at $5000 and ground transportation at $3000. Alberta delegates attending the Pacific Education Conference are responsible for their own airfare, and their costs in Hokkaido are being covered by the Hokkaido Parent-Teachers' Association. Attached is a detailed trip itinerary. -30- For further information, contact: Kelley Charlebois, Executive Assistant to the Minister - Alberta Education - (403) 427-2025 Amelia-Joy Turnbull - National & International Education, Alberta Education - (403) 427-2035 For toll-free connection outside of Edmonton, dial 310-0000. Itinerary For Gary Mar Minister Of Education Asia Trip: October 7- 23, 1997 (Subject to change without notice) TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, CALGARY>VANCOUVER>TOKYO 11:00 a.m. Depart Calgary WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, TOKYO 3:00 p.m. Arrive Tokyo - Narita Airport 6:15 p.m. Dinner and briefing session THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, TOKYO 10:00 a.m. Meeting with a member of the House of Representatives 12:00 Joint luncheon Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan and Tokyo Chamber of Commerce 1:45 p.m. Press Conference and Media Q&A with Japanese Press 3:00 p.m. Meeting with Monbusho official 6:00 p.m. Piano recital - Prof. Helmut Brauss at Canadian Embassy 6:30 p.m. Alberta Reception FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, TOKYO 10:30 a.m. Meeting with Canadian Embassy official 12:15 p.m. Lunch with World Communications Services (WCS) representatives 6:15 p.m. University of Alberta Japan Alumni Reception SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, TOKYO Free day SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, TOKYO 10:00 a.m. Canadian Education Fair 12:00 Lunch with the Principal of Yamate Gukuen MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, TOKYO>SAPPORO 10:30 a.m. Meeting with the Director-General of NHK Gakuen 1:30 p.m. High school visit 6:25 p.m. Depart Tokyo for Sapporo TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 9:45 a.m. Courtesy call - Superintendent, Hokkaido Board of Education 1:30 p.m. Meeting with officials of the Hokkaido Board of Education and the Sapporo Board of Education 6:00 p.m. Welcome Reception - Pacific Education Conference WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, SAPPORO 9:15 a.m. Pacific Education Conference with Alberta delegation 10:45 a.m. Visit to Fushimi Junior High School 12:00 Luncheon hosted by Governor for Japan Canada Housing/Building Conference 2:30 p.m. Visit to O-A-Sa School 3:45 p.m. Visit to Hokkaido Historical Museum 6:00 p.m. Meeting with the Hokkaido Canada Society Speech) Education in Alberta Question & Answer session 7:30 p.m. Dinner with Governor of Hokkaido THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, SAPPORO>HONG KONG 9:30 a.m. Cultural Performance - Alberta Group 1:30 p.m. Visit to Sapparo Intercultural and Technological High School 5:00 p.m. Depart Sapporo for Hong Kong 9:05 p.m. Arrive Hong Kong. Met by Trade Director, Alberta Hong Kong Office FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, HONG KONG 9:00 a.m. Corporate Training Forum Speech) Canadian Education Initiatives as They Apply to Asia 11:00 a.m. Meeting with Deputy Director, Hong Kong Department of Education 1:30 p.m. Meeting with the Principal of the Canadian International School SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, HONG KONG 9:30 a.m. Canadian Education Fair Speech) The Quality of Canadian Education and its Value to the Community SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, HONG KONG>TAISHAN 8:30 a.m. Depart for Taishan via China-Hong Kong Ferry 2:30 p.m. Arrive Taishan City MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, TAISHAN Taishan Convention (Speech) Opening Ceremonies TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, TAISHAN>HONG KONG 1:45 p.m. Depart for Hong Kong 6:30 p.m. Arrive Hong Kong WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, HONG KONG Free day THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, HONG-KONG>VANCOUVER>EDMONTON 1:30 p.m. Depart Hong Kong for Vancouver 9:50 a.m. Arrive Vancouver 12:00 Depart Vancouver for Calgary Alberta Index | Dept Index | Education Home Page | News Releases |Top of Page Comments regarding presentation should be forwarded [email protected] Technical and service related questions should be forwarded [email protected] Copyright(c); 1997 Government of Alberta Return to Government Home Page .