Address at the 2026 Graduate School
To all new students, congratulations on your admission today.
On behalf of the faculty and staff, and together with our distinguished guests, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you who chose our university from among so many options and have reached this day. I would also like to express my deepest respect to your families and loved ones who have supported you along the way and helped you reach this day.
Now, the society you are about to enter is often referred to as the “VUCA era.” It is an era marked by uncertainty, volatility, complexity, and ambiguity. Unlike in the past, there are no longer any clear-cut answers such as “if you work hard and follow this path, you’ll succeed” or “if you acquire this knowledge, you’ll be secure.” In such an era, I strongly urge you to adopt the mindset that “the future is not something to be predicted, but something to be created.”To that end, it is crucial to envision, at an early stage, “what kind of person you want to be in the future”—in other words, your “ideal self.” Of course, it’s perfectly fine if that vision isn’t clear at this point. In fact, throughout your college years, that vision will likely be revised many times. However, even if it’s just a tentative idea, envisioning your “ideal self” first will give direction and meaning to your learning.
University is not merely a place to acquire knowledge. It is a place where you encounter unfamiliar ways of thinking and values, step outside your own field of study, and broaden your horizons through interaction with others.It is this kind of “boundary-crossing learning” that our university values most. It is precisely within experiences that do not go according to plan, unexpected encounters, chance events, and experiences that may seem pointless at first glance that opportunities lie hidden to significantly shape the course of your lives. We call this “planned serendipity,” and I hope that during your time at university, you will actively embrace this serendipity and enjoy it to the fullest.
What we hope you will acquire during your time at this university goes beyond individual knowledge and skills. Rather, what is most important are the “drive to learn” and the “perseverance to continue learning.” This means cultivating an inner motivation—understanding why you learn and what inspires you—and developing the ability to continue learning not only during your university years but throughout your entire life. Once you enter the workforce, whenever you face new challenges or unfamiliar situations, it is these two qualities that will sustain you.I sincerely hope that every experience and encounter you have at this university will serve as a solid foundation for shaping your own future. Please do not be afraid of failure; instead, take on challenges, think deeply, and continue to learn.
Kochi, where you are studying, is by no means a major city within Japan. Yet this region has long forged its own path, unbound by the conventional wisdom or preconceived notions of the central government. It was precisely because many pioneers, including Sakamoto Ryoma, placed themselves on the “edge” of Japan—its periphery, so to speak—that they were able to gain a broad perspective on the world and conceive of transformation.Being on the “periphery” is not a weakness. It has the potential to become a strength for envisioning the future. Similarly, because Kochi University is located here, it confronts the realities of the region head-on and poses questions to society through education, research, and healthcare. It is within these endeavors that you will learn, reflect, and refine your own perspectives.
In closing, I would like to share the words spoken by Mr. Atsuo Ebe, the first principal of the former Kochi High School—the predecessor of Kochi University—to the incoming students at the very first entrance ceremony. I offer these words as my message of congratulations.
“Be inspired, young people; a life without inspiration is empty. Hold your ideals high, ever higher, before you. Then the path will lie smooth and open before you. Simply walk, and you will arrive.”
Congratulations on your admission.
April 3, 2026
Hiroyuki Uchida, President of Kochi University