Heading back to Austin!
MICHAEL K. YOUNGPresident
March 1, 2018
Howdy!
I am thrilled to share with all of you that Texas A&M will be bringing our outstanding thought leadership, research and innovations to the South By Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin March 11-14.
Ours is one of a select few universities attending SXSW during “Innovation Week,” a time when hundreds of thousands of global attendees gather to celebrate the convergence of education, interactive, film and music industries.
As a worldwide leader in research, discovery and innovation, this is a remarkable opportunity to showcase the superb work happening at our university to a global audience.
Our participation in SXSW will signify Texas A&M’s cutting-edge research and teaching while celebrating our land-, sea- and space-grant status, academic prominence and storied traditions.
It is also a wonderful chance for us to convey to potential future employers of our students that we are creating leaders of character and substance.
For my part, I am pleased to be joined by former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large Rabbi David Saperstein and BBC Journalist Kasia Madera for the panel discussion “Human Rights Policy in a Connected World.” We will be discussing how advancements in digital technology could enhance social, economic and diplomatic strategies in global human rights initiatives.
Other panel discussions featuring thought leaders from campus and beyond will cover such topics as artificial intelligence, healthcare and disaster recovery, featuring our own Chancellor, John Sharp. As an homage to the state we love – there will even be a discussion on the art and science of Texas BBQ!
Our research and discoveries on numerous fronts will be displayed in innovative ways at three locations in downtown Austin. Festival-goers can learn about our research in sustainable agriculture and environmental planning, our adventures in space exploration and even see a mural being painted in real-time by teams of talented students.
Our appearance at SXSW is made possible through brand licensing revenues.
A full description of Texas A&M at SXSW is available at sxsw.tamu.edu.
And if you cannot make it to Austin this year, be sure to follow the events as they happen on Texas A&M Today.
I wholeheartedly thank the students, faculty and staff who are working hard to bring this project to fruition and I look forward to seeing Aggie research, discovery, innovation and thought leadership in the spotlight.
Gig 'Em!
Michael K. Young