Graduation Speeches
Guest Speech: Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka
Good morning, everyone.
I would like to express my warmest, sincerest, and heart-felt congratulations to you and your family.
Like today, in 2013, 2014, and 2015, I was standing here to express my congratulations to you. I like this atmosphere with family here. It is very special to be celebrated together with your family though there was only one challenge for me then – reading the names of the graduates correctly particularly the names of those from Thailand and Sri Lanka.
Introductory remarks from IUJ President Takeo Kikkawa (read by Vice president and Dean of GSIR Hiroshi Kato)
Today, we have gathered here to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2024 from the master’s programs and doctoral program at the International University of Japan.
I am pleased to announce that we are proudly sending off 105 master’s students from the Graduate School of International Relations, 55 master’s students from the Graduate School of International Management, and 1 PhD student from the Graduate School of International Relations.
Graduate School of International Relations Valedictorian: Puneet Raina
Ohayo Gozaimasu – Honorable Guests, Chairman Utsuda, President Kikawa, deans of graduate schools, esteemed faculty, academic, administrative and support staff , families and dear friends my name is Puneet Raina, from the Graduate School of International Relations. On behalf of all the graduates, I offer my sincere gratitude for holding this degree conferment ceremony.
Graduate School of International Management Valedictorian: Dissanayake Mudiyanselage, Pramodhya Bandara Dissa
To the honorable guest, Chairman Utsuda Shoei, President Takeo Kikawa, GSIM Dean, GSIR Dean, all the faculty and staff, guests, family, and most importantly, the highlight of this hall, the class of 2024 – good morning to all of you.
Let me start with a small story about my best friend. My best friend was a genius and a very talented person. But he had this problem where whatever he did, he ended up being second or always missing the opportunity to succeed. Throughout school, he was consistently the second-highest scorer in class, always a step behind the top spot.