News

The Autumn 2023 graduation ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students were held on Saturday, September 16, at the Waseda Arena in Toyama campus and simultaneously broadcasted online for all to see. As in previous years, in-person participation was limited to only graduating students, and utmost Covid-19 precautions were taken during the event.

758 undergraduate students, 559 graduate and professional degree students, as well as 88 doctoral students, embarked from the Waseda nest to begin a new chapter of their lives.

During the ceremony, Waseda University President Aiji Tanaka took to the stage to make his address to all graduating students: 

“Please pursue your interests and devote yourself to whatever pursuits for which you feel a passion. Do not be swayed by trends. Trends die out in five years or so, and even if you follow a trend, you will only be able to exert 80 to 90% of your potential if it is not something about which you are passionate. Devoting yourself to a meaningful pursuit will allow you to put in 120%. Without a doubt, an effort made at 120% will bear greater success than an 80% effort. I used to share these words with my graduating seminar students every year on graduation day, but now as president, I pass them along to you as well. They are the best advice I can offer you.
Even after you graduate, please come back to visit your alma mater. Our doors are always open to you. We look forward to seeing you again as you become ever-more impressive; and for our part, we strive to make Waseda University an ever-more shining alma mater of which you can be proud.”

President Aiji Tanaka’s full address (English translation)

Next, Akira Mandai, Executive Chairman of the Waseda University Alumni Association, delivered a congratulatory address: 

“Please remember that your alma mater and fellow alumni will always be by your side cheering you on. We hope that, in the future, you will be the ones warmly supporting and cheering for Waseda’s students of tomorrow. The WUAA’s slogan is: “To the world together, toward the future together.” In that spirit, please take a leap, spread your wings, and soar high as you take on the world and step into the future.” 

For Executive Chairman Akira Mandai’s full address

Graduation Album

Full Graduation Ceremony on September 16, 2023

*The above quotes are translations by the author based on the original Japanese article.