{"id":75493,"date":"2022-03-29T16:53:08","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T07:53:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/top\/en\/?p=75493"},"modified":"2022-04-07T12:56:46","modified_gmt":"2022-04-07T03:56:46","slug":"spring-2021-graduation-ceremonies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/top\/en\/news\/75493","title":{"rendered":"Spring 2022 Graduation Ceremonies"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26, 2022, the graduation ceremonies for undergraduates, graduate students and students from the Art and Architecture School were held at the Waseda Arena on Toyama Campus.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In consideration of the health and safety of all students and their family members, only graduating students were invited to the ceremonies to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection. Besides limiting the number of participants, other coronavirus preventative measures such as splitting\u00a0the ceremony into numerous installments\u00a0were utilized for a safe experience. For those who were unable to attend in person, graduation ceremonies were broadcasted online live on YouTube.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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For the academic year 2021, a total of 8,131 undergraduate students graduated from <\/span>Waseda<\/span>. Additionally, 1,951 master\u2019s degree students, 508 professional master\u2019s degree students, and 203 doctoral degree students graduated, making for a grand total of 10,819 students embarking from\u00a0the <\/span>Waseda<\/span> community to take on new, exciting challenges!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The President of Waseda University, Aiji Tanaka, addressed the graduating students at the ceremony.<\/p>\n

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President\u2019s Address (extract)<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Waseda, you have learned intellectual resilence and how to use your own brain. In order to do this, it is important to learn from the scholarship of thinkers who have come before us. Scholarship does not provide answers to unknown new problems, but it records how human beings confronted unknown problems in their own day.\u00a0 By learning about these human efforts, you have gained relevant knowledge at Waseda with which to address new problems yet to arise.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When I think about the present situation in which Ukrainians are being killed and their human rights are being violated, my feelings of resentment and sorrow are beyond description. However, the one thing I can and should do as an educator is to request you to remember what you have learned at Waseda. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The founder of Waseda University, Mr. Okuma Shigenobu said \u201cDo not think of your own interest, your family\u2019s interest, or the interests of one country or nation, but seek to help humankind.\u201d Okuma emphasized the importance of altruism as well as generosity to others.\u00a0 Therefore, violating human rights, oppression of the weak, and betraying other people are all against the ideals of the founder of Waseda University. In other words, I sincerely hope that everyone who has studied at Waseda becomes a person who never does anything unethical or something a human being should not do.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Be confident about what you have learned at Waseda. And be proud of the fact that you completed your studies and your student life at Waseda even during the hardship of the coronavirus pandemic.\u00a0Even after you graduate, please come back to visit your alma mater. 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.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*The above quote is a translation based on the original Japanese article.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
\nFor the full speech in English prepared by the president himself, <\/span>click here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The\u00a0Executive Chairman of the Waseda University Alumni Association (WUAA),\u00a0Akira Mandai, delivered a congratulory message to encourage and welcome the soon-to-be alumni of Waseda.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Congratulatory Speech (extract)\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Those of you graduating from Waseda University today are facing a situation that no one has ever experienced before: a future without answers. At present, the world is not only fighting the novel coronavirus, but we are also amid a time of major political, economic, and social change. We are facing greater future uncertainty. However, it is precisely because we live in such an era that we need individuals who can take on new challenges and be innovative,without being hampered by any preconceived ideas. Waseda University graduates are precisely such individuals. They are active global leaders in their local communities, and as they spread their wings around the world.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Please apply the intellectual resilience and flexible sensibility that you have developed at Waseda University. Take pride in the fact that you have studied here and demonstrate an enterprising spirit as you move out into the workplace. I urge you to influence and inspire people throughout Japan and all over the world, and make a significant global contribution.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*The above quote is a translation based on the original Japanese article.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Additionally, the Azusa Ono Memorial Award ceremony was held to congratulate\u00a0students and groups with outstanding achievements in the areas of Academic and Sports. There were 6 Academic awards, 17 Sports awards, and 1 Special award given out this year.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Graduation Album<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\t\t