The Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI) hosted the "KISDI Global Conference 2010―Beyond IT Convergence: Innovation to the Future" on Nov 4, at the Harmony Ball Room, COEX Intercontinental Hotel.

Representatives of global IT companies and prominent experts from home and abroad were invited to discuss IT convergence, innovation, future outlook, and strategy for further progress of IT. By providing expert opinions on the future of IT and overview of vision and strategies at top IT firms, the conference presented a new direction for Korea's IT industry.

Following the commencement speech by KISDI President Suk-Ho Bang, Korea Communications Commission Chairman See Joong Choi and Chairman Byoung-Gug Choung of the Committee on Culture, Sports, Tourism, Broadcasting & Communications delivered congratulatory speeches. The opening session continued with the keynote presentations by IBM Vice President Tim Greisinger on "Convergence and IT"; Cisco Asia/Japan President Edzrd J. C. Overbeek on "Future of Network"; and LG U+ Vice President Sang Chul Lee on "Future Development of the Telecom Industry." Afternoon keynote speeches were delivered by US Government Accountability Office CTO Nabajyoti Barkakati on "IT and New Business Model"; and Qualcomm CTO Roberto Padovani on "IT and Innovation."

In Session 1 (titled "Digital Ecosystem: Source of Innovation"), Ericsson China/North East Asia President Mats H. Olsson and President Yang Zemin of the China Academy of Telecommunication Research of MIIT presented on the "Prospect of the Digital Ecosystem." In another room, Vice President Yew Ming Lau of Turner International Asia Pacific and CJ Hello Vision CEO Dong-sik Byun spoke about "Content Business and Convergence."

In the afternoon session ("IT Convergence Industry and Paradigm Shifts"), OVUM Advisor Time Jennings and Chiarman Hyeon-soo Kim of Korea Society of IT Services gave presentations on "Industry Innovation through IT, while GE Health IT Asia President Clarence Wu and Director Byung-Chul Chang of Severance Cardiovascular Hospital spoke about the "Future of u-Health."

In the Plenary Session toward the end of the event, Prof. Sugaya Minoru of Keio Univeristy, President Yang Zemin Director Yasushi Okamura of Oracle, Managing Director Il-yong Seong of Cisco Korea, Editorialist Jong-kwon Park of Joongang Ilbo, and Vice President Byung Kwan Lee of LG Electronics discussed the prospects of IT convergence, strategy, policy, cooperation issues and solutions, moderated by Prof. Keuk-je Sung of Kyung Hee University.

The conference, which was also to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of KISDI, confirmed the value of the IT industry as a sustainable growth engine and set a new vision for the future of IT.

Contact for inquiry : Kyung-suk Lee (+82-2-570-4072)