令和7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
As the early signs of autumn begin to appear, and a gentle breeze passes through the trees on our campus, it is our great pleasure to congratulate all of you receiving Bachelor’s, Professional, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees today. On behalf of the faculty and staff, we celebrate your success from the bottom of our hearts. We also offer deep respect and gratitude to your families and supporters who stood by you for many years.
Chiba University, under the principle “Always Aim Higher,” has worked to develop people with advanced knowledge and strong ethics. We aim to nurture individuals with the ability to think, act, and succeed on the global stage. Through your studies, you polished your expertise. Through activities and exchanges, you also grew as human beings. Please see today not as the end, but as the start of new learning.
For many of you, one important challenge must have been the “Global Program ENGINE”, which began in April 2020. One of its core pillars is “All students study abroad.” In the beginning, most of the programs were held online due to the pandemic. Later, many students had the chance to travel. In 2022, there were 1,182 students. In 2023, there were 2,215. And in 2024, more than 2,800. Whether you studied abroad on site, or joined virtually, you met new values and learned with people of different backgrounds. These experiences will remain a valuable treasure as you continue to expand your horizons.
In June, the Nikkei Shimbun published a survey of “Universities Whose Graduates Excel in the Workplace.” Chiba University graduates were highly valued for initiative, communication, thinking ability, and growth. Many companies said they want to hire more of our students for their flexibility and creativity. This shows that our education—to build problem-solving skills and train people useful to society—has real value. It is the result of the hard work of students, the dedication of faculty and staff, and the trust built by alumni. We express our deep thanks to all.
The society you are entering faces serious challenges: declining birthrates and aging populations, frequent natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, and issues of environment, energy, and climate. Yet within these challenges lie opportunities for new solutions. Advances in AI, robotics, and digital technology are opening new ways to solve social problems. Remember that inside every problem, there are seeds of research and chances for innovation. By integrating knowledge through the pillars of our new university vision—Life, Environment, and Society—your flexibility and creativity will foster trust in society and lead to new value creation.
In our own decision-making, we have always tried to gather reliable information, engage in dialogue, and make timely judgments. In an age of too much information, it is important to check several reliable sources, listen to experts, and think critically for ourselves. When you meet new problems, do not ask only “Has this been done before?” Instead, ask: “Where is the value? Who is it for?” Work with peers to build ideas, test them, and carry them through. Keep this cycle in motion.
When you face personal choices, please think not only of your own gain. Ask what choice will help society and Japan over the long term. Such decisions for the public good will bring pride and happiness to you as well. Chiba University will continue to support you as you take on the challenges of solving global issues.
We sincerely hope that the journey ahead for each of you will be fruitful, resilient, and full of hope. Once again, congratulations on your graduation.
September 26, 2025
Koutaro Yokote
President of Chiba University