2025年9月東北大学学位記授与式告辞（2025.9.25）

Opening

Graduates, families, and friends. Welcome.
Today is a very special day.
It is a day of celebration, of pride, and of new beginnings.
On behalf of Tohoku University, I offer my heartfelt congratulations.

Whether you are celebrating the completion of your Bachelor's degree, advancing your expertise with a Master's or Professional degree, or have reached the highest level of scholarship with your Doctorateーthis is a day of immense pride for you, and for us.

Each of you has reached a great milestone.
And I am especially proud to see that our graduates today come from 41 different countries and regions around the world.

Your presence here makes our university a truly international family.

Today is the start of a new chapter in your lives. Think back to your first day here. You may have felt excited, and maybe a little nervous. You worked hard through long hours, difficult experiments in the lab, and challenging lectures. You have earned this moment through your focus and hard work. And for that, you should be very proud.

I would also like to take a moment to thank the people who supported you.

Your families, who encouraged you from near and far. Your friends, who studied with you and shared this journey. And your professors, who guided you and shared their knowledge. Your success is also their success.

Principles and the Selection as "University for International Research Excellence"

Since our founding in 19O7, Tohoku University has followed three key principles: "Research First," an "Open-Door" policy, and "Practice-Oriented Research and Education." And as you may know, our university was recently selected as Japan's first and only "University for International Research Excellence."

This is a great honor. It recognizes over one hundred years of our commitment to creating knowledge and serving society.

In this new role, we have promised to focus on three things: making an Impact, developing Talent, and embracing Change. We will produce research that helps our world. We will welcome and support talented people from everywhere--carrying on our "Open-Door" spirit. And you, our graduates, are the Talent we are so proud to send into the world.

The Role of Academia in Society

The knowledge you gained here is powerful. But academic excellence is not just about publishing papers. It is about using what you know to help others. It is about connecting with society, and preparing the next generation. From one of Japan's best universities, you now enter the world with skills that can make a real difference. This is a great privilege, and also a great responsibility.

An Ever-Changing World

You are beginning your careers in a time of "rapid change". We face global challenges like climate change, new technologies like A.I., and a world that is often uncertain. These are big challenges, but they are also opportunities for you to lead and to create a better future.

So, what can you do?

First, I ask you to keep learning. What you learned here is a strong foundation, but it's only the beginning. The world will keep changing, so you must also keep growing. Stay curious and be flexible.

Second, connect with people. Today's big problems cannot be solved by one person alone. By working with people from different backgrounds, you will find better solutions and a deeper understanding of the world.

The Roman leader Julius Caesar once said: "People see what they want to see, and thus people hear what they want to hear."

In our age of social media, it is easy to only see and hear opinions that are the same as our own. That's why face-to-face conversations are so important. We must listen to others, especially when we disagree, and engage in real dialogue.

The Great East Japan Earthquake

Finally, I want to share a story about our university and the beautiful city of Sendai.

In March of 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami struck this region.

It was a terrible disaster. Many of you were young at the time, but for us, it was a moment that tested who we are.

Our campus was damaged and our research stopped. But in the days that followed, something amazing happened. Our researchers, doctors, and students came together to help, our hospital cared for the injured, our scientists worked to understand the disaster, and our whole community reached out to support those who had lost everything.

From this experience, we learned a powerful lesson. A university is not a distant, isolated place. It is part of the community and society. In times of crisis, we must be on the front linesーcreating knowledge, finding solutions, and giving hope.

This lesson has made Tohoku University much stronger. We became leaders in disaster science and community resilience. But most importantly, we learned the power of solidarityーthe power of people working together to overcome the darkest times.

Joining the Global Community

As you go into the world today, remember this legacy. You are carrying more than just a degree. You are carrying the spirit of resilience and responsibility that defines Tohoku University. Whatever challenges you face, I hope you will respond with courage, wisdom, and kindnessーjust as your university and this region have done.

As you begin this new journey, please remember that you are not alone. You will always be a member of the Tohoku University family. And to keep us connected, our alumni network "Shuyukai" stays in touch with graduates all over the world.

Parting Words

Your graduation today is not an ending. It is the beginning of a new partnership. Wear the title of "Tohoku University Graduate" with pride. I have no doubt that you will make great contributions to your communities and to the world.

Congratulations, once again. I wish you all the best on the road ahead. Stay safe, and I hope we meet again.

2025年9月25日

東北大学総長

冨永悌二