Commencement Address for the 2008 Academic Year, Kochi University Graduate School
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you who have completed your graduate studies today and received your degrees, and I have high hopes for your future.
As graduate students, I believe you have come to understand that the process of conducting research—which involves identifying research questions, devising plans to solve them, conducting experiments, analyzing the results from a contemporary perspective, and synthesizing these findings to present them to the world—is carried out in a highly systematic manner.
And now you have been recognized as having acquired the fundamental skills not only to carry out this intellectual work on your own, without the support of your instructors, but also to guide the research of your juniors.
The 21st century—that is, your generation—is often referred to as the Age of Wisdom.
On the other hand, the social conditions you are facing today are such that the entire world is in the grip of an extremely severe economic recession, and it must be said that confusion is deepening in every sphere of human society. However, if we take a step back and calmly observe these events, we can also view them as the final step in bringing the 20th century to a close and ushering in the new era of the 21st century.
Never before has there been such a great need for talented individuals. Throughout human history, the one thing people have consistently aspired to is the creation of a civil society that embodies true peace. I believe this cannot be achieved without the healthy energy of you young people. You are standing at the threshold of such an era.
One more thing: to ensure that your work does not become overly subjective and that it contributes positively to society, please remember to maintain an attitude of actively welcoming feedback from others.
As you are no doubt well aware, in recent years there have been countless instances in which individuals who have received the most elite higher education have disrupted society simply because they forgot the fundamental human virtue of humility.
I conclude my address as president with the earnest hope that, while actively embracing the evaluations of others, you will not succumb to frivolity or superficiality, but rather use the knowledge and skills you have acquired to emerge as true elites—opening and sustaining the 21st century, your era, and an era of Japanese intellectual excellence.
Congratulations on your graduation.
March 23, 2009
Kochi University, a National University Corporation, President Yusuke Sagara