Dr. George Ikeda, former director of research and training who retired in 2000, has returned to the TIM School on a part-time basis to assist the TIM School's outreach efforts in research consulting and professional development programs.  As part of the University of Hawaii's overall strategy to improve its research ranking among U.S. universities, the TIM School will be renewing its efforts to seek external research and training funds through contracts and grants.  In the past, the School’s research projects have addressed economic, environmental and socio-cultural concerns and other issues related to tourism in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.  The TIM School's professional programs have also provided institutes, seminars and short courses to serve travel industry executives, managers and professionals internationally.  These TIM programs were praised by the ACPHA re-accreditation review in 2000 and will form the basis for an extensive marketing effort abroad.
 
Since his retirement, Dr. Ikeda has been actively volunteering his time with the Waikiki Business Improvement District Association and the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism in promoting Hawaii's tourism expertise in China.  He recently served as part of the official delegation from the City and County of Honolulu for an assistance visit to Honolulu's sister city of Hue, Vietnam, to implement projects on tourism development.
 
"I look forward to working with TIM faculty again in expanding past and ongoing efforts to provide these services to Hawaii and the Asia Pacific region. The expertise here in the School is a great resource for Hawaii and the University," said Dr. Ikeda.