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East-West Center to
Star-Bulletin staff
honor three alumniThree people will receive the 2000 East-West Center Distinguished Alumni Award at the center's international conference here in July.
The recipients are Santiago R. Obien, executive director, Department of Agriculture, Philippines Rice Research Institute, Philippines; Choko Takayama, deputy mayor of Naha City, Okinawa; and Ashok Malhotra, professor and chairman, Department of Philosophy, State University of New York at Onconta.
The award recognizes significant contributions to the promotion of better relations and understanding among the people of Asia, the Pacific islands and the United States,significant career achievements, and continuing support for the center's goals.
Obien served for many years as head of the Philippines Rice Research Institute, helping the Philippines produce more of its staple food. He also served as president of Mariano Marcos State University.
Takayama served in the Okinawa governor's office. He also led the Okinawa East-West Center Association chapter when it sponsored the Okinawa Regional Conference in 1993. He holds a permanent role in the "ALOHA Committee," which promotes exchanges between Okinawa and Hawaii.
Malhotra was honored for his work in philosophy both as a teacher and researcher, with his work focused on improving the lives of poor, uneducated children. He is the author of seven publications on Indian philosophy and won the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in teaching. He established the Indo-International School in India, a primary school for underprivileged children in Rajasthan.
The award, which includes $1,000 each in cash, was established by an endowment fund donated by the late Dai-Ho Chun, director of the center's former Institute of Technical Interchange.
The international conference in July will draw more than 500 alumni delegates who will be attending the East-West Center's 40th anniversary celebration.
