The East-West Center is an internationally recognized education and research organization established by the United States Congress in 1960 to strengthen understanding and relations between the U.S. and the countries of the Asia Pacific region.

Created in 1990, ASDP assists colleges and universities in developing Asian studies through a variety of programs and services, such as summer institutes in Honolulu, workshops at various member colleges and universities and field studies to Asia. These programs are geared to expand and refine faculty's knowledge and teaching of Asia.

In order to facilitate its program, ASDP has established formal relationships with 17 colleges and universities--Redlands is one of only two centers in California. These regional centers serve as mentor institutions for their geographical areas.

As a regional center, the university is required to collaborate with other institutions to mainstream material about Asia into its curriculum, to collect resources useful in teaching about Asia, and to make these resources available to neighboring institutions. ASDP regional centers are also urged to host, on an ongoing basis, relevant seminars and workshops related to teaching about Asia.

The Redlands program was developed thanks to the initiative of Asian studies, and Sawa Kurotani, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology who will serve as a liaison and provide leadership for the university.

Other regional centers include: Central Washington University, Wash.; Johnson County Community College, Kan.; University of Alaska, Alaska; Middlesex Community College, Mass.; City College of San Francisco; Slippery Rock University, Pa.; Paradise Valley Community College, Ariz.; the College of DuPage, Ill.; Black Hawk College, Ill.; University of Texas-El Paso, Texas; Belmont University, Tenn.; Tulsa Community College, Okla.; Kennesaw State University, Ga.; Community College of Philadelphia Pa.; Morgan State University, Md.; Kapiolani Community College, Hawaii; and Eckerd College, Fla.

For more information, please visit the East-West Center's Web site at http://www.eastwestcenter.org/.