Leaders from eight island universities and colleges came together to exchange sustainability initiatives and progress within their respective campuses for the Presidential Summit at the 10th UOG Regional Conference on Island Sustainability in April 2019. (From left) Dr. Robert A. Underwood, president emeritus, UOG; Seok-eon Song, president, Jeju National University; Elsa Manarpaac, president, Western Philippines University; Frankie M. Eliptico, interim president, Northern Marianas College; Thomas W. Krise, president, UOG; Therese Koroivulaono, president, College of the Marshall Islands; Mary A.Y. Okada, president, Guam Community College; Dale Webber, principal and pro vice chancellor, University of the West Indies, Mona campus; and Dr. David Lassner, president, University of Hawaii.

The session will take place at 9 a.m. ChST this Friday focusing on the theme of “Achieving A Sustainable Global Future through Quality Education and Capacity Building.” Registration is of no charge and available at www.uog.edu/cis2020.

The panel of esteemed speakers, who collectively oversee a student population of more than 150,000, will focus on the critical role universities and educational programs play in achieving a global sustainable future. Panelists will share different approaches they are taking to prepare students and their communities to engage in sustainability solutions.

Panel 1, moderated by UOG Senior Vice President and Provost Anita Borja Enriquez, will focus on “Quality Education” and will feature:

• Michael M. Crow, president, Arizona State University
• David Hall, president, University of the Virgin Islands
• Harlene Hayne, vice chancellor, University of Otago (New Zealand)
• Thomas W. Krise, president, University of Guam
• David Lassner, president, University of Hawaii

Panel 2, moderated by Rachael T. Leon Guerrero, vice provost for research and sponsored programs at UOG, will focus on “Building Capacity” and will feature:

• Carlos J. Crespo, vice provost for undergraduate training in biomedical research, Portland State University
• T. Kā`eo Duarte, vice president of community engagement and resources, Kamehameha Schools
• Kristin Wilson Grimes, research assistant professor, Center for Marine & Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands
• Sonia Zárate, president, Society of the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in ScienceThe virtual conference series launched on May 1 in place of the University of Guam’s annual week-long Conference on Island Sustainability. As a virtual event, the conference saw record-breaking participation with the first session and has now reached 1,800 total participants from 78 countries, states, and territories, along with more than 12,350 views on social media.The conference is co-chaired by UOG President Thomas W. Krise and Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and has featured more than three dozen speakers and moderators from across the globe on topics including clean energy, COVID-19, the circular economy, traditional navigation, gender equality, and women in business.

All sessions from the conference, including the TED Talks-style “CIS Seed Talks,” are viewable at www.uog.edu/cis2020.