Welcome you to 2008 International Symposium on Electrical Insulating Materials! The executive committee of this ISEIM has started its activity about two years ago. Due to liberalization of the electricity market in Japan, investment into development of high voltage power equipment has been decreased. The mission of researchers in the field of electrical insulating materials was forced to change according to the trend of circumstance. Such movement has affected to the academic side. As we recognize that our field is facing such a turning point, we have had, and are still having, a long time discussion to renovate the symposium.
The ISEIM2008 covers the nanotechnology, the asset management, and the phenomena under the inverter surge to catch up with the above trend. As for the special lectures, we have invited two excellent speakers. The first speaker is Prof. M. Hara, who has awarded the Inuishi Memorial Lecture Award and will give us a lecture on the cryogenic insulating systems and other topics. The second speaker is Dr. M. Jeroense, who will give us a plenary lecture on the insulation technology for the HVDC system. I believe that these two speakers will give us deep and advanced research meanings.
One of our important missions is to encourage young researchers who will succeed and expand our activities. From this point of view, we planned a session of "Mutual Visiting type Poster presentation", named as an gMVP sessionh. This session aims to encourage and improve the presentation and discussion abilities of especially young researchers, and give a chance to discuss other poster presenters. Including MVP sessions, sufficient time and space for the poster sessions will impress all the participants. This is aiming that all participants can make deep and fruitful discussion by overcoming language barriers.
The other important mission is to provide chances for encounter among various researchers to open up a path to future. Especially in recent days, linkages among researchers in industry and academia (including students) are becoming more and more important. From this point of view, we planned a special session, named as a gSun-Shine sessionh to introduce R&D topics in industry to academic people. The first trial was successfully held in a domestic symposium last year. I believe the Sun-Shine session will be helpful for mutual understanding among researchers in industry and academia in the field of electrical insulation materials. In addition, it will be quite impressive that young students were so attracted by enthusiasm of presenters from the industry side.
We are also planning some social events including parties and tours. I believe that all the participants and accompanying families will enjoy delightful time filled with friendship and kindness. The executive and local committees are proud of providing these entertainments.
Finally, I would like to deeply thank all of the participants from all over the world. I hope all of the participants will have fruitful time for discussion and information exchange, and their accompanying families will have a pleasant stay in Japan. I also would like to thank all of the members of the organizing committee and the sub-committees for their effort to realize this symposium. I also express sincere appreciation to all the supporting members of this symposium for their tremendous contributions.