For New Graduates
I would like to start by heartily congratulating you on your graduation.
Today we find ourselves in unusual circumstances. With the effects of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak still not over, Waseda University has decided to switch to holding the September graduation ceremony this year in the form of live online distribution in order to ensure that the best possible education will continue to be provided to Waseda students in the fall semester. Sadly, the celebration of graduation hosted by Waseda’s Faculty of Political Science and Economics has had to be canceled. These ceremonies marking the end of college life are important occasions to celebrate a major milestone in life together, so all our faculty and staff are heartbroken about not being able to attend the ceremony directly, knowing how disappointed you, your families, and all concerned who have looked forward so long to these events will be.
Nonetheless, your accomplishments as students at the School of Political Science and Economics will shine forever. The Certificate of Graduation you receive is the hard-earned result of your efforts over the last four years—or maybe a little longer for those of you who loved the school too much to leave after just four years! To have earned this certificate is a remarkable achievement in your life. I am delighted to pay tribute to your worthy efforts and accomplishments.
You have now completed your studies at the School of Political Science and Economics and are about to take the next step in your lives. It is a good time to take a brief moment to look back on your college life at this milestone.
The educational goal of the School of Political Science and Economics is, as you well know, to develop leaders with a global perspective creating a next-generation symbiosis in which mutual respect amid diversity in globalization is valued. This goal builds on the original aspirations behind the foundation of Waseda University. Shigenobu Okuma explained the three key principles of the mission of Waseda University as follows: independence of scholarship, promotion of the practical application of scholarship, and the fostering of good citizens. He said that there must be grand ideals like these underpinning the provision of a fine university education to give it direction and purpose. The following is a quotation from Okuma himself: “Japan now stands at the crossroads of East and West. Our greatest ideal is to establish harmony between the eastern civilization and the sophisticated western civilization as a mediator between these different civilizations…To realize this ideal, whatever it takes, Waseda University devotes itself to original research, holding the independence of scholarship and the promotion of the practical application of scholarship as central principles, applying the results to the real world. Therefore, those who aspire to achieve the mission must respect individuality, develop themselves and their families, benefit the nation and society, and be active in the world at large, and be people of character who are capable of fulfilling the mission. They deserve to be called good citizens. …Therefore, if you want to be good citizens, knowledge alone is not enough. You must have moral character. Therefore, we must not only serve ourselves, our family, or our country, but also aspire to serve the world.”
With this in mind, Shigenobu Okuma founded Tokyo Senmon Gakko, which went on to become Waseda University, to develop global citizens who can take the initiative as leaders using the knowledge they have gained through their studies. This aspiration has been the bedrock of our tradition for more than 135 years, embracing and uniting us as we gather here today. You have been educated in this way. We gather here at Waseda and then scatter to make this dream come true.
The life journey you are going to embark on today will not always be a smooth one. You will sometimes experience setbacks or run into unexpected obstacles. At such times, I urge you, remember what you learned at the School of Political Science and Economics. You have already mastered the foundations of looking at and thinking about things rationally. Moreover, you have learned wisdom, rather than mere knowledge, which becomes obsolete over time. What else is necessary? Again, Okuma’s words can be your guiding vision: “As the Japanese proverb goes, ‘Nana korobi, ya oki,’ meaning ‘Fall down seven times, get up eight.’ When life knocks you down, stand up again and keep on trying; those who achieve great things are the ones with the courage to stand up again and keep on trying, even after being knocked down seven times.” He went on to remind us that “Discipline is the mother of success. So if you want to succeed, you must have the courage to proactively face hardships.” I firmly believe you can do that. Take on challenges with courage—as the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way!
If you look around you, there seems to be increasing turmoil in Japan and the world at large. It sometimes seems as if the problems facing society today are stubbornly resistant to solutions. The challenges posed by the spread of new coronavirus infections, in particular, are testing our wisdom. However, as has long been our firm belief, Waseda has a role to play in difficult times. I trust that you will prove this to the world by opening up the innovative future of our global society with your own hands, hearts, and minds.
I would like to conclude my congratulatory remarks on your new start by sincerely wishing you health, happiness, and every success in your careers as you navigate your way forward to your destiny. Once again, my heartiest congratulations on your graduation!
September 15, 2020
Norikazu Kawagishi
Dean, School of Political Science and Economics
Waseda University
