Address at the 2025 Graduate School
本日、高知大学、並びに高知大学大学院に入学された皆さん、ご入学、誠におめでとうございます。ご列席のご来賓の皆さま、そして本学の理事、学部長をはじめとする教職員一同とともに、皆さんの新たな門出を心よりお祝い申し上げます。これまでの皆さんの努力に深く敬意を表するとともに、ご家族や支えてこられた方々にも、謹んでお慶びを申し上げます。
As students of Kochi University, you are now embarking on a new journey of learning. Some of you may already have clear goals and be aiming to obtain professional qualifications, while others may be seeking to discover your aptitudes and aspirations during your time here. There is a concept known as “planned serendipity,” which suggests that many of life’s successes arise from chance encounters and events. The key to shaping your future lies in how actively you engage during your university years and how you embrace new challenges and experiences.I hope that you will make the most of this irreplaceable time and expand your own potential.
皆さんがこれから向き合う社会は、先の見通せない「VUCA」の時代と呼ばれています。世界が一丸となって目指す持続可能な社会の実現、すなわちSDGsの達成が求められる中、日本は食料・資源・エネルギーの海外依存度の高さや少子高齢化、気候変動などの課題に直面しています。このような時代において大切なのは、変化に流されることなく、「真理」を学び続ける姿勢です。そのためには、学部あるいは研究科における専門分野の学びに加え、自らを自由にする「リベラルアーツ」としての教養を身につけることが不可欠です。本学は総合大学として、多様な学問領域を探求する600名に及ぶ教員が揃い、未知への挑戦を続ける「知の集団」です。この恵まれた環境を存分に活用し、幅広い知識を吸収してください。
On the other hand, there has been growing concern in recent years about the decline in society’s “ability to continue learning,” or “sustained learning capacity.” It has been pointed out that the percentage of working adults in Japan who do not engage in self-improvement or learning is extremely high by international standards.If learning is confined solely to formal education and people attempt to navigate the rest of their lives relying only on knowledge acquired in the past, they will be unable to forge a path in a rapidly changing future. Against this backdrop, the importance of lifelong learning and reskilling has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. Surveys indicate that those who developed regular study habits during their student years are more likely to continue learning after entering the workforce. Please keep in mind that the study habits you cultivate in college will determine your growth and potential throughout your life.
Kochi University provides continuing education and reskilling programs even after graduation or completion of studies, supporting lifelong learning. At the heart of this effort is the “Kochi University Alumni Association,” established two years ago. We encourage you to register with this association immediately upon enrollment and to make a conscious effort to continue your learning by leveraging its network while you are still a student.We aspire to be an institution that walks alongside you not only during your designated time as a student, but throughout your entire life.
Last year, in 2024, Kochi University celebrated its 75th anniversary. To date, the university has produced over 60,000 graduates and program completers, nurturing many talented individuals who are now active both in Japan and abroad. Tracing our roots back to their origins leads us to the former Kochi High School, established 103 years ago.At the entrance ceremony, the first principal, Mr. Atsuo Ebe, declared, “Be moved, young people; a life without emotion is empty.” This passionate message, which resonates deeply with young people, is still passed down to this day. We hope that all of you entering today will carry on this spirit. It is rich and deep human relationships that bring about such emotion. Our university will do everything in our power to support you as you build that foundation.
In closing, I would like to express my hope that all of you who have enrolled today will grow into key leaders capable of forging a path through an unpredictable future and will develop the ability to continue learning throughout your lives. With that, I conclude my address as President.
Once again, congratulations on your admission.
April 3, 2025
Hiroyuki Uchida, President of Kochi University