Heisei 30 Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology United Graduate School of Agricultural Science Entrance Ceremony Speech

Heisei 30 Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology United Graduate School of Agricultural Science This is the entrance ceremony speech.

April 10, 2008
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Chief Hiroyuki Ohno

Congratulations to all of you who have enrolled in Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology United Graduate School of Agricultural Science. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations. I would also like to express my sincere congratulations to my family and everyone involved who has supported me so far.
This year, a total of 19 new graduate students from United Graduate School of Agricultural Science will join the program, including 6 Department of Biological Production Science, 4 Department of Applied Life Science, 5 Department of Symbiotic Science of Environment and Natural Resources, 1 Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, and 3 Department of Science on Agricultural Economy and Symbiotic Society, including 4 international students from 2 countries around the world. I hope that you will not only learn various things and advance your research through your future research students activities in graduate school, but also make many friends. Some of your friends will become lifelong friends through research and work even after you graduate school. Human networks will be extremely important in the society of the future. While enjoying campus life to the fullest, I hope that you will make many friends and maintain relationships that have a positive influence on each other.
With the development of society, economy, and science and technology, modern society has come to face many global issues related to the survival of humankind, such as the environment, energy, food, health, safety and security, and disasters. Maintaining an environment in which living organisms can coexist on the earth, securing safe food, securing resources and energy to support our lives, and maintaining healthy lifestyles are indispensable for our planet. Agriculture is positioned as an important academic field that leads to fundamental solutions to these problems. In order to solve these problems, we need the power of science and technology that we scientists can lead and create. You have entered the world of academia, which is important. This United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, which you will learn about, was established in collaboration with the three universities of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Ibaraki University, and Utsunomiya University, to make the most of their respective characteristics and complement each other, and to conduct research on cutting-edge agriculture with a rich international flavor and sophistication. This distinctive organization provides in-depth education and highly specialized research. In addition, in order to develop human resources who will be responsible for this, we have a unique curriculum that includes overseas field training. As a member of United Graduate School of Agricultural Science today, you will be required to be more independent and independent than ever before. Those of you who have studied basic studies that have had only one answer so far, from now on, you will be oriented toward practical studies with a focus on applied development, so there may be several candidates for solutions. Or maybe there is no optimal solution. Even if you are stuck in an uncertain task or difficult problem, you must solve it on your own. But what if you can't find the answer? It's okay to talk to your friends and seniors. It is very important to listen to people's opinions. But you can't ask someone to tell you the answer. The answer is theirs, not yours. The society in which we live is inundated with manuals. If there is something you don't understand, the problem will often be solved by following the manual.　However, repairing electrical products and solving the problems that exist in today's society are not at the same level.　There is no manual. I hope that you will gain a variety of experiences at this graduate school so that you can find the answers on your own. I hope that you will make the most of the advantages that only this United Graduate School of Agricultural Science can provide, value your individuality, and above all, acquire genuine knowledge and the wisdom to use it through trial and error on your own. Against the backdrop of groundbreaking breakthroughs in AI, the society of the future, including in the field of agriculture, will continue to change at an astonishing speed. Rather than chasing these changes, I would like you to develop the ability to play an active role not only in Japan but also in the world and lead society as people who bring about further changes. You have a lot of potential for the future. I sincerely look forward to your progress.
Finally, I would like to add an important point. The path of academic research is not just from the neck up. Maintaining a high level of motivation and promoting research requires mental toughness and perseverance. In addition, various experiments require physical strength. Please maintain a healthy mind and body. Today, I would like to ask you to remember the lofty goals and dreams you set for entering United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, take good care of your health, and have a fruitful university life. We, the faculty and staff, will continue to do our utmost to support you in all aspects.
Today, I would like to conclude my remarks by wishing all of you who have entered United Graduate School of Agricultural Science a great deal of growth, and by expressing my welcome to all of you as a member of our university.