Chairperson IFFTI
Welcome address: Dr. Satoshi Onuma President, Bunka Fashion College and Chairperson, IFFTI
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 14th Annual Conference of the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI). The theme for this year’s conference is “Fashion Beyond Borders.” This is particularly fitting given the location of the conference in India, which has long been a center for cultural diversity and a crossroad for people venturing beyond their own borders. I am sure that India, and our host institute, Pearl Academy of Fashion, will present delegates with a wonderful opportunity to learn and discuss how fashion has diversified to become a global phenomenon and how fashion from different cultures and regions has merged to create a vibrant fashion industry that we enjoy today. This has been accompanied by a rapid increase in the number of opportunities for businesses in the fashion industry and concurrently a need for discussion about whether businesses are maximizing their opportunities and responding appropriately to the challenges that have arisen.
Furthermore, it is increasingly important for us to consider the entirely new environment of the cyber world that has no physical boundaries and how it can empower stakeholders at all points of the spectrum to participate in the fashion industry. Finally, it is important that all these issues be considered from the perspective of fashion education so member institutions can share and build upon their knowledge and experience as educators.
I would like to offer my sincere appreciation to the Chairman of Pearl Academy of Fashion, Mr. Deepak Seth for agreeing to host this year’s conference. I would also like to acknowledge Dr. AKG Nair, Group Director, Mr. Arindam Das, Director and his team of organizers who have spent a considerable amount of time and effort arranging this conference.
I have attended many annual conferences over the years and I am excited by the potential that this year’s annual conference offers to our members. I sincerely look forward to the keynote speeches, paper presentations and both formal and informal discussions that will take place over the coming days. I anticipate that this year’s conference will be a wonderful experience for all delegates.