New chair will help UVic students succeed in East Asia

Students at UVic will be better prepared to do business in East Asia thanks to a generous gift of $1 million from Stephen Jarislowsky, founder and CEO of the Montr&e#180;al-based investment company, Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd.

Jarislowsky is an advocate for better corporate governance and shareholder rights and supports the pursuit of excellence. He is a generous benefactor to many universities and cultural and charitable organizations.

The gift, with matching funds provided by the Centre for Asia Pacific Initiatives (CAPI), will endow the Jarislowsky CAPI East Asia (Japan) Chair housed in the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business and CAPI. The chair holder will teach in the Master of Global Business program and help ensure that students graduate with a thorough knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Asian cultures and give students the skills they need to work and perform effectively in these cultures.

"In some cultures, showing the soles of your shoes is seen as disrespectful and could close the door on a business opportunity," says Dr. Ali Dastmalchian, dean of UVic's Gustavson School of Business. "Thanks to Mr. Jarislowsky's gift, we can give students a better understanding of the cultural nuances appropriate to business practices in East Asian countries."

"This chair provides an opportunity for CAPI research to be expanded to include the cultural diversity of East Asian countries, enhancing our understanding of the region, especially in a business context," says Dr. Andrew Harding, CAPI director.

CAPI was established in 1987 as an important element of UVic's plan to expand and strengthen its links with universities and other institutions in the Asia-Pacific region, especially with China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Korea, and the island states of Oceania. An international search will be conducted to identify a qualified individual to fill the position.