令和6年度千葉大学卒業式、大学院修了式・学位記授与式　学長告辞

The hot summer has come to an end, and we can now feel the signs of autumn.  To all the graduates who have successfully completed required courses at Chiba University and received your doctoral, master's, professional, and bachelor's degrees, I offer my heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the faculty and staff.  I would also like to extend my sincere congratulations to your families and all those who have supported you throughout this journey.

Under the philosophy of "Always aim higher," Chiba University pursues to nurture individuals who think for themselves, take action, and become leaders in the global society, based on advanced expertise and a strong sense of ethics.  Additionally, we have declared and published on our website the C-DEIB Promotion Declaration, which aims to create and develop a university community where the human rights of everyone associated with Chiba University are respected, free from discrimination, and where everyone can safely express their individuality and abilities.  We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and we aim to make Chiba University a place where everyone can pursue their individuality and enrich others with their charm.  Furthermore, we hope to extend these efforts to society and contribute to the development of the entire nation.

I believe that all of you have worked diligently in your studies at Chiba University, honed your expertise, and grown significantly, both academically and personally, through extracurricular activities and interactions with friends.

However, there were also unexpected difficulties.  I believe many of you spent part or most of your university life during the COVID-19 pandemic.  In particular, the first year or two of the pandemic saw significant changes in lifestyles, and it was difficult to have in-person lectures and practical training.  The numerous restrictions on social life may have caused confusion as the days differed from what you had envisioned.  But, I am confident that the experiences of facing and overcoming such unexpected obstacles, while achieving your learning and research goals, will empower you as you navigate the journey ahead.

On the other hand, when we look abroad, we are constantly reminded that the peace we enjoy daily in Japan is not something we should take for granted, as conflicts between nations and ethnic groups, such as those in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, continue unabated.  It may seem like a distant issue, but its effects, such as rising prices and high oil costs, have already impacted our daily lives.  There are also concerns about a potential crisis involving Taiwan.  Moreover, the frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, such as intense heat and heavy rains, highlights the numerous global challenges we must address, including environmental destruction, climate change, and the increased frequency and diversity of natural disasters.

Faced with these difficulties, it may seem that we, as individuals, are powerless.  However, I firmly believe that this is not the case.  If everyone shows compassion to those around them, engages in meaningful discussions, and applies what they have learned to address each problem, these steady efforts will enrich each individual's life and ultimately guide society in a positive direction.  I think that the ability to make such consistent efforts is what defines true leadership.

Currently, one of the most significant issues facing Japan is the declining birthrate and aging population, along with a shrinking population overall.  However, 50 years ago, when I was a child, concerns were quite the opposite.  People worried that "a continuously growing population would lead to food shortages," or that "if we keep extracting oil at this rate, it will run out in 30 years."  Additionally, serious issues like air and river pollution caused by factory emissions were casting a dark shadow over society.  Fortunately, these pessimistic predictions have not become reality, and our standard of living and hygiene have improved significantly compared to my childhood.  While every era has its challenges, I believe that humanity, by gathering wisdom and confronting issues sincerely, can overcome these problems.

If future policies and social reforms can resolve the declining birthrate issue, that would be wonderful. However, even if the population decreases, the application of new technologies, such as AI, could enhance efficiency and productivity, potentially making life richer for each individual.  In other words, I believe that within the efforts to solve "difficulties," there are hidden seeds of new research and business opportunities.

As you graduate today, I would like to share with you something I have kept in mind as I have navigated through an uncertain society.  When faced with challenges, it is important to gather as much "quality information" as possible, think carefully based on that information, and then make decisions.  Today, information is abundant, especially with the internet, but not all of it is accurate.

At the time you started your life at Chiba University, I was serving as the director of the university hospital.  In the early days of the pandemic, little was known about COVID-19 or how to respond to it, and a wide variety of information flooded society.  In such a situation, protecting the hospital's patients and staff required making swift decisions based on expert opinions and reliable scientific papers.  When you face challenges, I hope you will not be swayed by limited opinions, but instead, consult multiple sources of information, listen to experienced individuals, carefully discern the situation, and make informed decisions.

I sincerely hope that, with the foundation of what you have learned at Chiba University, you will confidently navigate your "one and only life" as contributors to a brighter future society.  And I promise that we, the faculty and staff, will do our utmost to ensure that Chiba University continues to be a university that all of you, can be proud of.  Congratulations once again on your graduation and degree conferral.

Thank you for your attention.

September 27, 2024

Koutaro Yokote

President of Chiba University