2015 United Graduate School of Agricultural Science Entrance Ceremony

April 10, 2015
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Tadashi Matsunaga, Director

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology United Graduate School of Agricultural Science Congratulations to all of you who have enrolled in the new school. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations. I would also like to extend my congratulations to their families and all those who have been supporting them. We hope that you will continue to support them as they grow step by step.

This year's new students are: Department of Biological Production Science 20, Department of Applied Life Science 6, Department of Symbiotic Science of Environment and Natural Resources 11, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering 4, Department of Science on Agricultural Economy and Symbiotic Society 11, totaling 52 students, including 16 international students from 4 different countries. These 52 students will become colleagues who will help each other and work hard for their own future. Some of them may become lifelong friends through research or work after completing the Graduate School. We hope that you will build a relationship that will have a positive impact on each other.

Those of you who have chosen to enter the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences will be entering a deeper and more specialized field of study. However, to master your specialty, it may sound paradoxical, but it is rather necessary to have a bird's eye view, a big picture, and a variety of perspectives. If you do not develop your research based on knowledge and ideas from other fields, historical backgrounds, social factors, and international affairs, you will not be able to overcome various barriers and become a global innovation leader who conducts research that truly benefits the international community. And Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology is always striving to create an environment and provide many opportunities for you. In addition to the two fields of agriculture and engineering, which are the backbone of industry, we have also developed our field into an interdisciplinary field that is possible only by combining these two fields, and have made every effort to conduct cutting-edge research and foster global innovation leaders with the goal of "creating a sustainable society" and "building a recycling-based society. The university's approach of emphasizing true "freedom" to flexibly take on new challenges without being bound by preconceived ideas or frameworks while maintaining self-discipline in pursuit of its goals and mission has been a distinctive characteristic and strength of the university cultivated over the 140 years since its foundation. Based on this stance, we have continued to evolve by implementing a variety of advanced initiatives to promote global innovation, such as the establishment of a new research institute and organizational reforms. We also actively collaborate with other institutions and universities, conduct joint research with private companies, and engage in overseas exchanges, always keeping a bird's-eye view of the diversity and public interest of our research and educational activities. The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, where you will enroll, was established to develop more sophisticated and useful front-line agricultural research with an international flavor by collaborating with Ibaraki University and Utsunomiya University beyond the framework of universities, while at the same time utilizing and complementing the characteristics of their respective research. The curriculum has a variety of unique features that are ideal for fostering human resources who will be the driving force in creating a sustainable, recycling-based society from a global perspective and who will contribute to the coexistence and welfare of humankind on a global scale. You must make the most of these features while improving and enriching yourselves. To solve the complex interactions among the environment, resources, disasters, health, and other issues that have arisen as a result of human evolution and the development of science, technology, and the economy, world-class innovation is necessary, and it is the mission of those of us involved in science and technology to be the driving force behind such innovation. The field of agriculture, in particular, is the discipline that is most directly related to the healthy survival of the human race, whether in terms of the environment, resources, or food. I hope that you will be aware of the fact that your research will lead to the creation of a sustainable, recycling-oriented society and the creation of a better future, and I wish you all the best in your new lives from tomorrow onward.

Another important aspect of life as a researcher is willpower and mental strength. Science and technology require precision and rigor. Moreover, research rarely progresses smoothly, and many failures and difficulties await us. In addition, the pursuit of results is never complete due to changes in the times, the environment, and society, and of course, no compromises are allowed. While it may be important to relax in our daily lives, scientific and technological research cannot be done with "moderation. To this end, a strong will, enthusiasm, and the mental strength to sustain them are important factors. So, how can we cultivate mental strength? The answer is through accumulation and training. You will experience many things during your three years at this university. By accepting each experience as a success and each failure as a failure, and by accepting them with an open mind, your mental strength will be strengthened. The specialized knowledge and skills you acquire in this way, as well as your mental and human abilities, will never be lost when you leave this graduate school and enter the workforce. You will be able to demonstrate your abilities in any environment and be welcomed as a useful human resource.

Finally, I would like to mention one more thing that may seem obvious but is very important. As I have just mentioned, the path of academic research is not only mentally demanding but also physically demanding. You must have a healthy mind and body to continue. In particular, those who come from rural areas or from overseas may be anxious about various things in an unfamiliar place. Please take good care of your health and enjoy a fruitful university life. We will continue to do our utmost to support you in every way we can. I would like to conclude my address by wishing all of you who are entering United Graduate School of Agricultural Science today to grow and develop toward your dreams without forgetting your current feelings, and by welcoming you once again to be a part of this university.