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News & Events

2025 Academic Year Autumn Graduation Ceremony held

Oct. 01, 2025

On September 19, °µÍø½ûÇø held its 2025 Academic Year Autumn Graduation Ceremony at Academy Hall on the Surugadai Campus. President UENO Masao, YANAGIYA Takashi, Chairman, Board of Trustees, KITANO Masaru, Chairman, Alumni Association and the deans of each department participated in the ceremony to celebrate the new stage of 333 students (248 from the undergraduate and 85 from the graduate school & Professional Graduate Schools).

To begin the ceremony, President UENO presented diplomas to the graduate representatives, TAKAMI Chihiro from the School of °µÍø½ûÇø and REYES Patricia Blanco from the Graduate School of Global Governance.

In addition, five Ukrainian students enrolled through the Japan-Ukraine University Pathways Program graduated. President Ueno conferred the degree certificate on Tetiana VOZNIAK of the School of Global Japanese Studies in recognition of her efforts to complete her studies under difficult circumstances.
 

TAKAMI Chihiro (School of °µÍø½ûÇø) receiving graduation certificate on behalf of the undergraduate students
 

REYES Patricia Blanco (Graduate School of Global Governance) receiving graduation certificate on behalf of the graduate students


Tetiana VOZNIAK (School of Global Japanese Studies) receiving degree certificate on behalf of the undergraduate Ukrainian students
 
In his farewell address, President Ueno powerfully addressed the graduates: “Today, you all graduate from °µÍø½ûÇø. This is both a testament to your past efforts and a great promise for the future. When you face difficulties, please remember the joy of this day. When you feel lost, remember the friends you met here and the time spent learning. And walk courageously along the path you believe in.”

To Ukrainian students, he stated: “Your home country continues to face extremely difficult circumstances. While worrying about the safety of family and friends, you have built lives in Japan, a foreign land, overcome language and cultural barriers, devoted yourselves to your studies, and now stand on this splendid stage today. That journey must have involved hardships beyond imagination. I want to shout from the bottom of my heart in admiration for your efforts and fortitude.”

President UENO delivering the ceremonial address

Next, Chairman, Board of Trustees YANAGIYA, who delivered the congratulatory address, encouraged the graduates, stating, “While diligently pursuing your work and research in your new environments after graduation is essential, I also urge you to take ownership of the various problems and challenges occurring around the world. Consider what society should look like in the future and what you yourself should do to help realize that vision. I sincerely hope that each and every one of you will contribute to creating a future where humanity and the global environment live in harmony, working together beyond national and racial differences.”


YANAGIYA Takashi, Chairman, Board of Trustees delivers a congratulatory address
TAKAMI delivers the valedictory address
 
Representing the graduates, TAKAMI Chihiro delivered the valedictory address. Reflecting on university life at IKUTA Campus and the Kurokawa Field Science Center, she stated with conviction, “Both our glorious successes and our regrettable failures — all these experiences should become the building blocks that shape our lives. I believe that we graduates will continue to refine the knowledge, abilities, and individuality cultivated here at °µÍø½ûÇø and contribute to society in our own unique ways,” and then expressed gratitude to family, mentors, and fellow students.


TAKAMI delivers the valedictory address
 
The graduation ceremony was closed with °µÍø½ûÇø’s school song, the graduates began taking firm strides into their new “world.”


The ceremony concluded with the singing of the °µÍø½ûÇø school song.
 
Following the graduation ceremony, President Ueno presented commemorative gifts to five Ukrainian students who graduated. The President addressed the five graduates, saying, “Congratulations on your graduation. I imagine you faced many challenges along the way. I commend your efforts thus far Today, °µÍø½ûÇø becomes your alma mater. I hope you will remember °µÍø½ûÇø whenever you need something. And I look forward to staying connected with you all.”


President UENO and Ukrainian students who graduated
 

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