When leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation meet at UBC Nov. 25, the occasion will mark another milestone in the university's strong tradition of links with Asia.
One of the lasting legacies of this historic meeting will be the visibility and profile the university will earn. The attention of the world will focus on the university and its role in a city that plays such a vital role as a gateway to the Asia Pacific.
But there are other, more tangible legacies that are also being planned to highlight the university's role as the major institution in Asian Pacific affairs in Canada.
Some of the legacy initiatives now being planned include:
A public exhibition of a new collection of Asian artifacts which the university recently received from a donor in Hong Kong. The outstanding artifacts from the exhibition may be displayed in the Museum of Anthropology, where APEC leaders could view them during breaks in their meetings.
The creation of an endowment to fund an APEC graduate fellowship as well as a number of undergraduate scholarships for Arts and Science students. These APEC fellowships/scholarships to study at UBC would be available to students from Canada and the other 17 APEC economies.
The possible establishment of an APEC Infrastructure Facilitation Centre. An initiative is underway through the Faculty of Law and the Centre for Asian Legal Studies to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment of the centre.
Funding to support the establishment of a program in Australia/Canada Relations. Australia is an APEC member, and this program would operate within the Institute of Asian Studies.
The Centre for Contemporary Islamic Studies. Preliminary agreement has been reached with the Government of Malaysia for shared funding to support establishment of the centre at UBC. The creation of the centre could be announced during a planned visit to Canada by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir just prior to the APEC leaders' meeting.
The Chair in Buddhist Studies. Funding is being secured to support a Chair in Buddhist Studies within the Faculty of Arts.
Site enhancement. Two UBC buildings that will be used as venues for the APEC leaders' meeting, Norman MacKenzie House and the Museum of Anthropology, will be upgraded, leaving a permanent legacy for the university community.
Norman MacKenzie House, the residence of UBC's president, is having its atrium
extended to accommodate the APEC leaders'
luncheon.
An extensive refurbishment and enhancement program will be carried out at the museum, the actual site of the leaders' meeting.
Funding for the legacies would come from a variety of sources, including private donors, corporate sponsors and the governments of Canada and British Columbia.