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The Big Picture

Itoga said the long-term goal is to expand the university's offerings in the wider field of information technology, adding that the days when ICS graduates were destined for the aerospace industry have long since passed.

"It's an idea whose time has come," he said. "Today, information technology permeates everything."

Harada agreed.

"It's a big movement," she said. "These days, if you put 'Internet' in front of anything, it sells."

Itoga said Hawai`i is shaping up to be an industry hotspot, especially with Gov. Ben Cayetano's outspoken emphasis on technology and its growing importance in the state's turn-of-the-century economy.

Cayetano has been a strong advocate of distance learning, working with the Western Governor's Association's "Virtual University" project. Toward that end, Itoga noted his department is offering its first distance learning course this semester.

Itoga said the governor has also expressed great interest in Uniden Wireless Communication, a major electronics manufacturer that has targeted Honolulu as a site for its software development division.

In addition, Honolulu recently became home to "Square USA" -- the American counterpart to a Japanese software company responsible for several popular and highly profitable computer games, including "Final Fantasy."

"They could find interest in supporting several departments at UH, not just for their company but for their industry," Itoga said. "Our graduates could play a critical role; we'll be good resources."

Despite the recent rash of budget cuts on campus, Itoga said information technology offerings at UH could expand in the long run.

"Eventually, we see our research and teaching programs growing," he said. "We may look to hiring more faculty, as both sides (ICS and LIS) can better justify the need.

"Instead of hiring pure library science or pure computer science faculty, we can thrive in the intersection of overlapping interests," he said.

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