Walter Jamieson and Director of Research George Ikeda were invited by the University of the Ryukyus to represent the School of Travel Industry Management at the International Symposium on Tourism Industry and Human Resources Development held in Naha, Okinawa on July 19, 2004. Walter Jamieson gave the keynote address on “The Travel Industry and Human Resource Development in the Asia-Pacific” and George Ikeda spoke as a panelist on “Human Resource Strategies for Okinawa’s Economic Development.” The symposium drew 200 participants from the government, academic, and private sectors of Okinawa and was the first initiative in the establishment of the new Department of Tourism Science at the University of the Ryukyus. The University of the Ryukyus was designated by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Arts, Science and Technology as one of two national universities in Japan to offer the Bachelor of Science degree in tourism. Since April, 2004, on-going discussions between the School of Travel Industry Management and the University of the Ryukyus have resulted in a cooperative partnership in which TIM will assist the University of the Ryukyus in faculty and curriculum development and participate in joint research projects of benefit to both destinations. While in Okinawa, Walter and George met with Dr. Moshin Morita, President of the University of the Ryukyus and with faculty who will be assisting in the program development. This cooperative agreement is part of a long relationship with Okinawa, Japan which began in 1990 when TIM first began presenting tourism seminars for the industry in Okinawa.