The Graduation and Entrance Ceremonies

Whether it rains, or if spears fall from the sky, or if the blossoms of the cherry trees are later than usual, it is the tradition of Waseda University to hold Commencement on March 25th and the Entrance Ceremony on April 1st every year.

One week after the relief of seeing off the new graduates who are leaving the nest with the highest hopes, we feel fresh tension of welcoming the freshman with bright expectations for their university life. Unfortunately, this year’s Commencement fell on a cold, blustery day. However, we could feel from the new graduates an energy strong enough to drive away the coldness of the day. On the day of the Entrance Ceremony, which was held on the day after long-awaited declaration of the start of the cherry-blossom season, it was as if the buds of the cherry tree were symbolizing the freshman who are going to bloom fully soon.

At the Commencement, we saw off 11,617 students (9,404 undergraduate students, 2,104 graduate students, and 109 students of the Art and Architecture School). At the Entrance Ceremony, we welcomed 13,824 students (10,441 undergraduate students, 3,229 graduate students, and 154 students of the Art and Architecture school).

The graduates sang “Glory of Waseda” with deep emotion, with arms over each other’s shoulders.

Performance by the present students to send off the new graduates

Please go out into society with that nice smile!

“Our strong yearning for victory led us to triumph” said former manager of the baseball team, Mr.Nomura.

The Graduation Ceremonies

The Commencement began with the awarding of their degrees from President Shirai Katsuhiko to the delegate students of each school. Later, the Azusa Ono Memorial Award was given to 12 students and one team who had made remarkable achievements in academic studies, arts, and sports. The bright looks of the graduates on the platform were memorable.

In his speech, President Shirai compared the green belt movement of the last year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, Wangari Maathai from Kenya with the activity of the late Prof. Taichi Oda (former professor of the School of Commerce). Professor Oda worked with Waseda students to plant trees in Tanohata village, Iwate Prefecture. President Shirai quoted Okuma Shigenobu: “If you wish to fly high, you must learn deeply.” These words were taken by Professor Oda as the guidepost of his life. The President encouraged the students, saying “I want you to accomplish your end, and to have continuous interest and love for human beings and to sharpen your sensitivity toward society.”

Kobayashi Eiichiro, President of the Alumni Association, also made a speech. He said, “I hope that you will be a great runner who takes over the baton of Waseda's high reputation that was established by your seniors, and I hope that you will continue to uphold that reputation.”

Moreover, Honorable Doctorates, which are the highest degree of Waseda University, were given to three people: President Yoon-Dae Euh of Korea University, President Gu Binglin of Tsinghua University, and Cho Seokrae, Representative of the Waseda University Alumni Association of South Korea. The Presidential Award was given to Mr Nomura Toru, former manager of the Waseda University Baseball Club who led the team to 4 consecutive championships in the Tokyo Six University Baseball League.

The Entrance Ceremony - solemn but also welcoming

The school song: Please sing it at every opportunity and memorize the lyrics!

Demonstration by the Cheer Leading Club

Invitations to join student societies

The hall was filled with tense-looking freshmen wearing brand-new suits. But before the ceremony began, the cheer leading club lessened the tension with a demonstration including the school song. It was a warm welcome for the new entrants.

President Shirai encouraged the freshmen, saying, “I want you to make relationships with good teachers and good friends, and I want you to act independently and respect others. These are the keys to making the best of your university days. It's an important stage in your life and thus can be regarded as a starting point of your life.” He also introduced an alumnus, Ms. Reiko Morinaka, who made the world record for a long distance glider flight this January in the Argentinian Andes.

At the ceremony, Richard Descoings , Director, La Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques (FNSP) and Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris(IEP), Min Weifang, Chairman of the University Council, Peking University, Carlos Ghosn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. received honorary doctorates.

The Awardees of Honorary Doctorates from Waseda University This Year

Euh Yoon-Dae, President of Korea University ‘Even a miserable history repeats if its fundamental causes are not analyzed and corrected. The same thing can be said about the issues between South Korea and Japan. It is a task for the current intellectuals to look closely into the problems, never neglecting them.’

Gu Binglin, President of Tsinghua University ‘Waseda University has principles that have much in common with school mottos and culture of Tsinghua University such as “Don’t spare efforts, and do cultivate your virtues and learn a lot.” and “Be a person of action, not a person of words.” I believe we can cooperate with each other to apply ourselves to studies in various fields.’

Cho Suck-Rai, Chairman of Waseda University Korea Alumni Association and Chairman of Hyosung Group ‘Japan and South Korea should play a key role to form a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Asia that can be the basis for united Asian economy competitive with European Union (EU) and North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), so that Asia can lead global economy in the future.’

Richard Descoings, Director, La Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques (FNSP) and Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris(IEP) ‘The globalization of economy has forced us to innovate on all the management styles that operated our businesses. We need another bunch of business leaders with new spirit to appear on the global stage to accept this challenge.’

Min Weifang, Chairman of the University Council, Peking University ‘The internationalization of the higher education has been more and more promoted in accordance with the globalization of economy. Universities need to be a place for multicultural communications among people from all over the world for mutual understanding and cooperation.’

Carlos Ghosn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. ‘A university is a place to learn how to learn―learn to cooperate with other people, to create new ideas and to prepare for living a new life. Human beings do not grow up until they have approved viewpoints and ways of thinking different from their own.’