President Speech

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.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you who have dedicated yourselves to your studies with such unwavering commitment on this verdant campus of ours, and also to your families who have supported you so tirelessly. You are not alone in feeling proud of your remarkable achievements, for everyone connected with our university also takes great pride in your success.

That said, most unfortunately, Mr. Ballo, Bocar Dit Binke from Mali cannot be here to celebrate your departure today. Mr. Ballo, a diligent scholar, completed his master’s degree at our university and then re-enrolled in the doctoral program to continue his academic pursuits. Regrettably, however, he passed away suddenly due to illness last December. It pains me to think of his loss at such a young age. Let us hope that those of us who remain behind will continue to develop our abilities with the same passion as he did.

IUJ, from which you are taking your leave today, is a unique institution. Its claim to uniqueness rests on three features.

First and foremost, IUJ is a place where students can learn about the world and learn about Japan at the same time. IUJ has approximately 400 students. Although this number is comparatively small, students from approximately 70 countries are gathered together on our campus.

In Japan, there are many universities which sport the word “international” in their titles. However, in terms of true internationality, IUJ is outstanding.

Even at today’s graduation ceremony, we have the honor of welcoming ambassadors and embassy representatives from 13 countries. There is no other university that can hold such an international graduation ceremony in all of Japan.

IUJ is a truly “global place” situated within Japan, so that our “students can learn about the world and learn about Japan”. In general, our students live in dormitories on campus and English is used as the principal language of instruction, enabling students to receive an in-depth graduate education in international relations and international management delivered to a global standard. Furthermore, not only our faculty members, but also our administrative staff are highly proficient in English, which is another significant feature of IUJ.

Secondly, IUJ is a place where the world cooperates together. Many of our students are selected through competitive processes by major organizations such as JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), ADB (Asian Development Bank), and the IMF (International Monetary Fund). We also have students who are sponsored by Japanese companies. Additionally, many students from both within Japan and abroad have been able to enroll at IUJ by taking advantage of our comprehensive scholarship programs.

Students enrolled at IUJ study and live together 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at our Urasa campus in Minami-uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. Due to this close contact with each other, a dense and diverse network is sure to be formed amongst those who enter our university. In other words, IUJ is a place “where the world cooperates,” providing a range of future benefits to our students and their ongoing or future careers, to our students’ current and potential employers and colleagues, and ultimately to our students’ home countries.

Thirdly, IUJ is a university which is striving to establish a visible presence in both Niigata and Minami-uonuma. Although this is still a work in progress, IUJ is steadily taking steps towards becoming an integral part of the local community.

Every year in early summer, the International Festival on our Urasa campus is co-sponsored by Minami-uonuma’s local government. The festival is a unique event where local people can join together with IUJ students, faculty, and staff members to enjoy food, songs, and dances from all over the world. This year’s festival was, once again, a great success with long lines forming to buy tickets for the wide variety of cuisines on offer.

What is more, in mid-winter, we hold the “IUJ Snow Festival”, where we invite not only students, their families, and staff members, but also local high school students. Festivalgoers played on snow slides, built snow sculptures, and enjoyed snowmobiling. I was appointed as a judge for the snow sculpture competition, but as there were 10 checkpoints to consider, scoring was quite challenging.

Another way we reach out to the local community is through “IUJ Musubiba College”, which is held almost every month at “MUSUBI-BA”, a business development base in Minami-uonuma. IUJ faculty members, current students, and alumni share topics related to the daily lives of the local community, drawing upon their various research fields and backgrounds, and providing opportunities for interaction in a harmonious atmosphere. I myself gave a talk on energy issues, and I flinched at the sharp questioning I underwent from a local junior high school student.

The International Marketing research event, which started this year, is also unprecedented. IUJ students from around the world become commentators, sampling local specialty products and providing insights into how to help these products succeed in international markets.

We are honored to have so many of our local stakeholders joining us at today’s graduation ceremony. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for their continuous support. Additionally, at the back of this hall, you will find that local high school students have also gathered to help celebrate the achievements of the class of 2024. Thank you, everyone!

So, graduates of the Class of 2024, you have reached a bright and glorious day. However, the true challenge begins now. I hope that you will be at the forefront of making the world a better place, using the knowledge gained in “the place where students can learn about the world and learn about Japan” as your weapon, leveraging the network formed in “the place where the world cooperates”, and “blending into each local community. Always keep in mind that tomorrow is more important than today.

Once again, congratulations to the Class of 2024, and my best wishes to you all.

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