brochure_IFFTI Annual Conference - My Laureate

MessageDr. Satoshi OnumaCHAIRPERSON, IFFTIIt is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 14thAnnual Conference of the International Foundation ofFashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI). The theme for thisyear’s conference is “Fashion Beyond Borders.” Thisis particularly fitting given the location, which has longbeen a center for cultural diversity and a crossroad forpeople venturing beyond their own borders. I am sure thatIndia, and our host institute, Pearl Academy of Fashion,will present delegates with a wonderful opportunity tolearn and discuss how fashion from different cultures andregions has merged to create a vibrant fashion industrythat we enjoy today. This has been accompanied by a rapidincrease in the number of opportunities for businessesand concurrently a need for discussion about whetherthey are maximizing their opportunities and responding tothe challenges that have arisen.Furthermore, it is increasingly important for us to considerthe entirely new environment of the cyber world thathas no physical boundaries and how it can empowerstakeholders in the fashion industry. Finally, it is importantthat all these issues be considered from the perspectiveof fashion education so member institutions can share andbuild upon their knowledge and experience as educators.I would like to offer my sincere appreciation to theChairman of Pearl Academy of Fashion, Mr. Deepak Sethfor agreeing to host this year’s conference. I would alsolike to acknowledge Dr. AKG Nair, Group Director, Mr.Arindam Das, Director and his team of organizers who havespent a considerable amount of time and effort arrangingthis conference.I have attended many annual conferences over the yearsand I am excited by the potential that this year’s annualconference offers to our members. I sincerely look forwardto the keynote speeches, paper presentations and bothformal and informal discussions that will take place overthe coming days. I anticipate that this year’s conferencewill be a wonderful experience for all delegates.7