Ambassador event report - Tokyo, Japan, 29 May 2008

Imperial alumni ejoyed a lecture and dinner event in Tokyo, with Ambassador Professor Nelson Phillips, Head of the Organisation and Management Group at Tanaka Business School

The Imperial College International Ambassador event, organised by the South Kensington Kai (SKK), was held in Tokyo on 29 May 2008. The lecture was held at the British Council Japan, with an after-dinner party at a local Japanese restaurant. The SKK is the Imperial College Alumni Association of Japan with members of over 400.

The lecturer was Professor Nelson Phillips, Head of the Organisation and Management Group at Tanaka Business School. He frequently comes to Japan, and gave us a lecture last year as well. His lecture was so good that we asked him to come again, which he willingly accepted. This year’s topic was “Leading Innovation: Understanding the Leadership Behaviours that Create Highly Innovative Work Group”.

About 50 people attended the lecture. We were all interested in his lecture and active discussions followed. There were three groups among the audience; the first group was that of the Imperial alumni members of the SKK. The second group included alumni of colleges of University of London, and those who were associated with the British Council Japan. The third group was the MBA students who traveled with Professor Phillips. They attended this event not only for the lecture but also wanted to talk with business people and experts in Japan.

A dinner party followed, held at a local Japanese styled pub restaurant. Everybody enjoyed conversations, different cultures, food and so on. The party was great fun, with a late night for most of the alumni! We look forward to having another Imperial College night in the near future.

Shun-ichi Nakamura, President SKK
Junya Inoue, Secretary SKK