2017 USC Global Conference draws to a close in Tokyo

TOKYO – The 2017 USC Global Conference drew to a close Saturday night with a gala dinner in the Grand Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. President C. L. Max Nikias reflected on the learnings of the conference and shared the destination of the next event.

“Our alumni and faculty and friends have been able to identify emerging issues and opportunities in this still-young ‘age of the Pacific’ … as well as potential allies in addressing them,” Nikias said.

“And we look forward to seeing you all at our next Global Conference in the spring of 2020 … in the great city of Beijing!”

Dancers and dinner
A crowd of nearly 500 gathered for the event, which featured talented student performers from the USC Kaufman School of Dance. The gala dinner served as the finale of the three-day conference.

Nikias lauded the importance of the arts in reflection of the USC Kaufman School’s performance and in context to the event’s focus on innovation.

I have long believed that science and technology are mainly the means to an end — but great art is our end, as individual human beings and as a global society.
C. L. Max Nikias

“I have long believed that science and technology are mainly the means to an end — but great art is our end, as individual human beings and as a global society,” Nikias said.

Participants at the Global Conference learned how USC, as the world leader in creative technologies, has been at the forefront of turning creativity into reality in sectors including the sciences, humanities, engineering, medicine, entrepreneurship, the arts and entertainment. Renowned scholars from USC engaged in discussions with leading Japanese experts to explore how to improve and enhance lives worldwide.

‘Creating the Future’
Those in attendance gleaned insight into “Creating the Future” from leading global executives and academics, including featured conversations with Kazuo Hira, president and CEO of Sony Corp.

USC’s Global Conference series is held in major world cities and brings together renowned academics and influential business leaders to present and discuss the latest research results across the full range of academic disciplines and their influence on the Pacific Rim.

The USC Global Conference returned to Tokyo for the first time since the city served as site for the first-ever conference in 2007. Subsequent conferences were held in Shanghai; Seoul, South Korea; Hong Kong; and Taipei, Taiwan.