Press Release
Japan Airlines Signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Shidler College of Business to Enhance Collaborative Opportunities in Hawaii, Silicon Valley and Japan.
Joint Press Release
Tokyo, July 21,2021 - Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Shidler College of Business (University of Hawai‘i), with the aim of enhancing collaborative opportunities centered on human resource development through innovation. Going forward, both parties will conduct various collaborative activities as well as cooperate on human resources development.
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Shidler College of Business Dean Vance Roley said, ❝We are thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with Japan Airlines. Given Hawaii’s rich historical ties to Japan, coupled with Hawaii being a premier destination for Japanese visitors, this is a synergistic alignment. We look forward to working with JAL and providing unique opportunities to our students.❞
Japan Airlines Regional Manager, Hawaii Region Hiroshi Kuroda said, ❝We are looking forward to deepening our relationship with the UH Mānoa Shidler College of Business as we aim to help cultivate a more sustainable society in Hawai'i, by leveraging the strengths of students focused in the fields of innovation, tourism, and human resource development in collaboration with our own innovation team located in Silicon Valley❞
JAL and the University of Hawai‘i will proactively develop human resources through innovation by utilizing digital technology. Both parties will work together in various fields, including non-tourism sectors, to resolve social issues in the islands, including environmental concerns and achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, to increase the attractiveness and value of the islands to realize a sustainable society that can be passed on to future generations.
Cooperation and Collaboration Plans
・ Through collaboration on pilot test (PoC) etc, consider commercialization that will solve social issues or enhance customer value.
・ Implementation of travel-centered MaaS mobile app “HAWAIICO” and conducting joint research on database marketing and commercialization.
・ Collaborate with “TRUE¹” on events that promote the activities of start-ups and to create new business opportunities.
Human Resource Development (Internship)
・ Establish an internship program at the University of Hawai‘i to provide internship opportunities for students at various JAL office in the United States and Japan.
① Silicon Valley Investment and Innovation Group (California, United States)
② JAL Innovation Lab (Tokyo, Japan)③ JAL Hawaii Branch (Hawaii, United States)
③ JAL Hawaii Branch (Hawaii, United States)
1 TRUE - an initiative launched by the Hawaii Executive Collaborative―aims to tech-enable local businesses. Through public and private collaborative efforts and the sharing of resources and solutions, TRUE creates a pathway for businesses to accelerate their adoption of technology. As a result, local organizations succeed, Hawaii’s economy becomes more diversified and sustainable, and Hawaii becomes a place where all residents can thrive.
About the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Shidler College of Business
Established in 1949 as the College of Business Administration, the College was named in 2006 after alumnus Jay H. Shidler, founder and managing partner of The Shidler Group. The Shidler College of Business is renowned for its expertise in international management education and is consistently ranked among the nation's top 25 graduate schools for international business by U.S. News & World Report.
Long recognized for its Asia-Pacific focus, the College is a professional school, offering a wide variety of degree, certificate and executive programs. The College places a strong emphasis on the development of management skills, entrepreneurship and the management of business information technology. The Shidler College of Business is the only graduate program in the State of Hawai‘i accredited by AACSB International. For more information, visit: shidler.hawaii.edu.
The University of Hawai`i at Mānoa serves approximately 20,000 students pursuing more than 225 different degrees. Coming from every Hawaiian island, every state in the nation, and more than 100 countries, UH Mānoa students thrive in an enriching environment for the global exchange of ideas. For more information, visit
manoa.hawaii.edu and manoa.hawaii.edu/media/. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/uhmanoa and
Twitter www.twitter.com/UHManoaNews.
About Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines (JAL) was founded in 1951 and became the first international airline in Japan. A member of the oneworld® alliance, the airline now reaches 405 airports in 66 countries and regions together with its codeshare partners with a modern fleet of 234 aircraft. Awarded as one of the most punctual major international airlines and a certified 5-Star Airline by Skytrax, JAL is committed to providing customers with the highest levels of flight safety and quality in every aspect of its service, and aims to become one of the most preferred and valued airlines in the world.
