2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony: President’s Address

Today, we have conferred degrees upon a total of 107 graduates and postgraduates who have studied at our Shizuoka and Hamamatsu campuses. On behalf of the University, I’m delighted to give our heartfelt congratulations to all of you on the successful completion of your programs and on your graduation.

This year’s graduation ceremony includes not only Japanese students, but also international students from 12 countries, including Nigeria, Bulgaria, and several Asian nations.

Having completed your respective bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs to earn your degrees, you have studied together with your fellow Shizuoka University students, transcending nationality, culture, and language, honing your skills and learning from each other, all while bridging diverse backgrounds. Such an achievement must have included many challenges and hardships. However, you have all overcome these hurdles to arrive here today. That is truly a testament to your efforts. Those of you who are international students, in particular, have faced numerous hardships in both your studies and daily lives, having left your home countries and confronted differences in language and culture. Yet, you have admirably overcome these challenges and now hold your degrees. You have my deepest respect.

I am sure your families, friends, acquaintances, and the instructors who have led and supported you will be happy to see you complete your studies and graduate. Today, you must not forget that it is thanks to these people that you have earned your respective degrees.

Many of the international students attending today’s ceremony have studied through Shizuoka University’s Asia Bridge Program (ABP). This year marks the tenth anniversary of this program’s launch by the University. Many firms based in Shizuoka Prefecture are expanding throughout Asia, and they needed talent who could act as a bridge between their companies and the local workers. These companies generously donated to the program, which enabled us to establish a scholarship system. The ABP has created an extraordinarily diverse environment for education and research at the University, and I am profoundly grateful for what the program provides.

We are now living in uncertain times, with no clear future ahead of us. Since the dawn of the 21st century, we have witnessed ongoing military conflicts and outbreaks of infectious diseases worldwide, which, in turn, seem to be triggering many social anxieties. Moreover, we face significant threats to our daily lives in the form of disasters, such as major earthquakes and torrential rains, as well as global environmental changes. This summer, our home, Shizuoka, saw days with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, making us keenly aware that global environmental issues are profoundly impacting the survival of humanity. While we certainly live in uncertain times, I believe there is no need to feel anxious. That is because young, energetic people like yourselves are leaving universities and beginning their careers. That is where I see a ray of hope.

You have undoubtedly acquired a great deal of highly specialized knowledge during your study at university. I expect you will utilize this expertise to address various social issues and challenging problems. Yet, the complex problems facing society today epitomize the very ideas of “turmoil” and “chaos,” so addressing them would be impossible if you approach these issues solely from the perspective of a single specialty. Deriving solutions to such complex problems requires addressing them from all angles with a broad-based perspective that integrates the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences under a holistic approach that leverages interdisciplinary knowledge. Today, I have a favor to ask of all of you who are completing your studies here and graduating: Never stop learning, continue to broaden the scope of your studies and cultivate a perspective that allows you to see society more clearly. Continue your learning in this way and it will enable you to see clearly what is actually happening in the world today and what you must do in response. I sincerely hope you will continue your studies for life.

You have undoubtedly cultivated an attitude of proactive and practical learning with a broad perspective at the University. It will surely provide you with the means to create the future, wherever you live, by allowing you to think for yourselves, act proactively, and empathize with others.
　
You will all go your separate ways as you live your lives. I hope that wherever you are, wherever you thrive, you will always be a source of light and hope.

Finally, I would like to remind you all that Shizuoka University is now your alma mater. I hope that we can all stay connected. I welcome you to visit Shizuoka University any time, as we are always pleased to see our alums. We sincerely look forward to reuniting with you once you begin your careers.

Once again, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you, and I would like to conclude by wishing your families and all those connected to you good health and happiness. Thank you very much.