President’s Remarks at the Fall 2024 Graduate School Entrance Ceremony

　ご入学おめでとうございます。そして、大学院入学に至るまでのご努力に敬意を表します。室蘭工業大学に皆さんを迎えることができましたことは、この上ない喜びであります。教職員を代表してお祝い申し上げます。

　First of all, on behalf of the entire faculty and staff at Muroran Institute of Technology, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on your enrollement into the graduate school of MuroranIT.

　本日入学されるのは、博士後期課程に13名、博士前期課程に8名のあわせて21名の皆さんです。そのうち16名、約76％は、海外からの留学生の方々です。コロナ禍以前と同様に、多くの国と地域からたくさんの方々に本学への関心を持っていただき、本日入学されることに、感謝したいと思います。
　この場は留学生の皆さんがmajorityですので、本日は英語でのスピーチを試みたいと思います。

　This year, we have 13 new students in the Doctoral Course and 8 in the Master’s Course. Among them, 16 students, about 76%, are international students. I would like to express my gratitude to the international students from many countries and regions who have shown interest in our university and decided to join us.
　Since international students are the majority here, I would like to attempt to deliver my speech in English today.

　As you know, the world is now facing a variety of conflicts and disagreements. However, I believe that the exchange between various intellects and personalities in a free and open environment is the source of innovation and has led to the current progress of science and technology. I am confident that you will meet new mentors, make many friends, and expand your network by interacting with a variety of researchers here in Muroran, thereby dramatically improving the depth of your research.

　We are currently reforming and enhancing our graduate school guided by the slogan of “educational capabilities based on well-established research expertise,” which is a major strength of our university. It is truly essential to enhance education and research at our graduate school in order to promote our presence as a national university. Our mission is to nurture all of you here into researchers who can play an active role in academia, or human resources who can play a role in innovation, which is strongly desired by industry and other sectors.

　In recent years, the ratio of students who complete the doctoral course in the standard three-year period has gradually but continually increased. In addition, the number and quality of research papers have also steadily improved. So, we are proud to say that we have enhanced the quality and quantity of our university’s doctoral programs. I hope that all of you entering graduate school today will work hard in your studies and research activities with our professors, and do your best to bring the results of your research to fruition. The results will be presented in the form of a paper and a dissertation. One of the best evidences of our university’s characteristic “well-established research expertise” is your thesis presentation, which will be the essence of your studies at graduate school of MuroranIT. We look forward to your research accomplishments.

　Another important outcome of graduate studies will be to acquire the skills necessary for all of you here to continue to make a progress in the years to come. The source of this ability is curiosity, inquisitiveness, and persistence. Curiosity and inquisitiveness enable us to engage in learning in a positive manner, acquire new knowledge and skills, and continue to grow through the power of continuity. With today’s rapid advances in science and technology, there is an ever-increasing amount to learn. In your future studies, please cherish your curiosity and inquisitiveness, and keep them with you and nurture them.

　Last but not least, as you begin your new life at the graduate school of MuroranIT, please take good care of your health, maintain your intellectual curiosity, take advantage of the various learning opportunities and environment, and enjoy a meaningful graduate school life. I hope that you spend your graduate school life in a productive way, and that you work hard in your studies and research activities with our professors, and experience “educational capabilities based on well-established research expertise.” I would like to conclude my remarks by expressing my best wishes for your positive potential, your future, and your success at this university. Congratulations!

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　令和6年10月1日
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　室蘭工業大学長　松田　瑞史