Wharton Global Forum in Tokyo

May 24, 2013

University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann visited Tokyo to meet with Wharton alumni and friends at the Wharton Global Forum, presenting a keynote address on May 24 at 9:30 a.m. at the Palace Hotel.

Dr. Gutmann addressed the value of higher education and spoke of Penn’s recent entry into the world of massive open online courses, called MOOCs, in her address, “Maximizing Returns: The Enduring Value and Bold Future of Higher Education.”

“Online learning is a bold experiment in higher education,” said Gutmann. “MOOCs [massive open online courses] are increasing access to education and have the potential to touch underserved populations in new ways. The University of Pennsylvania is proud to be among those leading the way in this new venture.”

The Tokyo Forum provided Wharton alumni and special guests with an opportunity to discuss and learn about today’s most pressing issues with some of the best minds in business—including Wharton faculty members, industry leaders and fellow Wharton graduates.

Keisuke Muratsu, WG’75 served as Chairman of this year’s Forum, which had the theme of “Vitalization.” Wharton was also honored to have Yotaro Kobayashi, WG’58 serve as Honorary Chairman. Kobayashi-san has supported Japan, Fuji Xerox and Wharton in many capacities since his graduation over fifty years ago.

Featuring keynote speeches, master classes, and dynamic conversations with some of the world’s most intriguing industry specialists, the Forum’s content was shaped to meet alumni interests and needs. More information on the Forum is available here: http://www.whartontokyo13.com/tokyo/default.aspx

Japan is home to one of Penn’s largest alumni networks, with more than 2,000 alumni living there, many in Tokyo. More than 60 percent of Penn’s international students are from Asia, and approximately 15,000 Penn alumni currently live in the region.

The Wharton Global Forum is a lifelong learning event hosted in international centers of economic and political importance around the world. Through the Global Forum, Wharton provides its alumni and friends with an opportunity to learn from and interact with the best minds in business. Since their founding in 1993, Wharton’s Global Forums have been held 17 times in Asia; 14 times in Europe, Africa and the Middle East; and 10 times in Latin America.