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University of Alaska Fairbanks

University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is the research university of the University of Alaska System based in Fairbanks. It houses the Geophysical Institute, which monitors earthquakes, volcanoes and auroras, and the International Arctic Research Center. UAF researches Arctic food and energy systems.

Cover image for article: Fairbanks economic panel could recommend changing its role in sister city ties

Photo: Quintin Soloviev via Wikimedia Commons · Photo source · CC BY 4.0

Fairbanks economic panel could recommend changing its role in sister city ties

by Cale Green · draft by Melinda Communities.News(11h ago)
2 min readFairbanks, Alaska

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Economic Development Commission could recommend changes to its role in the borough's sister city relationships when it meets Nov. 20, according to the meeting agenda.

Under borough code, sister city ties are meant to develop international trade and tourism, educate residents and build cultural awareness. The borough formally became a sister city of Mombetsu, Japan, in 1991, according to the Consulate-General of Japan in Anchorage.

The code also created a separate, nine-member Sister City Commission in 2004. It is to advise the mayor and Assembly on new sister city affiliations, develop a sister city program and review proposals from citizen committees.

In July, Tom Hewitt, special assistant to Mayor Grier Hopkins, asked for the economic development commission's feedback on updating its own responsibilities for sister city relationships. Members discussed the Sister City Commission's history, incorporating new duties and possible relationships with other countries, according to the July minutes. They planned to come back with more research and a draft recommendation.

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About University of Alaska Fairbanks

University of Alaska Fairbanks

uaf.edu ↗505 S Chandalar, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is the research university of the University of Alaska System, based in Fairbanks. It houses the Geophysical Institute, which monitors earthquakes, volcanoes and auroras through units such as the Alaska Earthquake Center, and the International Arctic Research Center.

Much of its work is research funded by federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation. Recurring subjects include glaciers and permafrost, wildfire and fire weather, sea ice and coastal flooding, marine mammals and fisheries, critical minerals, and diesel and battery microgrids for rural villages.

UAF's programs reach far beyond Fairbanks, into Alaska Native elder care and food sovereignty work and energy research in rural communities. The university also runs its own police force on its Fairbanks campus.

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