Graduate School of International Relations Valedictorian: Rahman, Inteha
International University of Japan Graduation Ceremony 2023
Honorable guests, Chairman Utsuda, President Itami, Dean Myoe, and Dean Lee, all faculty, academic and supporting staff, friends, families, and all of you, graduates, the class of 2023- good morning, Ohayo Gozaimasu.
Congratulations, my fellow graduates! Today marks a significant milestone in our lives. Standing before you today as the valedictorian of this exceptional class, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and pride.
I would like to start remembering our classmate Osoba who is no longer with us. He was a wonderful human being and a good friend. I am saddened that he couldn’t be with us today. I hope, we will never forget our classmate and keep his memory alive.
About two years ago, it was one of the finest days of our lives when we were chosen to pursue our master’s degree in Japan, at IUJ. What a remarkable day it was! But who would have known that, it was only the start of a complicated adventure that began with Prof. Goto’s midterm exam for Microeconomics-I. Then the journey became more interesting with Prof. Jinnai’s midterm paper on Statistics. But today, I believe that it was all on purpose to just make us stronger for the future. I would like to express my gratitude to my amazing supervisor, Prof. Tang. I feel incredibly honored to have received your insightful comments as I worked on my thesis. I want to thank Prof. Wong for using her extensive expertise in econometrics to develop our foundation. Thank you, Prof. Goto, Prof. Jinnai, Prof. Kane, and all our professors, for your excellent guidance through our two-year journey. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to you for nurturing our minds and fostering our development. We appreciate the help and support from OAA, OSS, OGA, and all IUJ employees, especially MLIC and the dorm staff.
Our accomplishments are not solely a testament to our individual brilliance but rather a reflection of the continuous encouragement and support of our families. I’d like to express my gratitude to my parents, my wife Orin, and my little princess Iqra. Without their sacrifice, it would have been impossible to be where I am today.
We were still experiencing the COVID pandemic when we started our journey. We didn’t know for sure if we would make it to Japan. But after arriving here, it was a completely different experience of life. In the midst of so many cultures, we learned a lot. It taught us how to adjust in a setting that can be difficult for some of us, how to be modest, and how to respect everyone’s culture and customs. For sure, IUJ has changed our lifestyle. We came in from diverse backgrounds, but we are now proud graduates of the same university, leaving this premise with the same ambition to succeed.
Our two-year journey extends far beyond the boundaries of textbooks and classrooms. It lies in the friendships we have forged, the extracurricular activities we have participated in, and the moments of inspiration we have experienced. As I look out at this sea of familiar faces, I see a remarkable group of individuals who have grown together, laughed together, and supported one another throughout our time here.
Our journey has not been without its challenges. We have faced rigorous academic demands, late nights of studying, and the occasional setback. We persisted despite everything. We have shown resilience in the face of adversity, determination in the pursuit of our goals, and unwavering belief in our abilities.
As we move on to the next phase of our lives, some of us plan to further our studies, and some of us are entering the world of work. Whatever we do, we must remember the invaluable lessons we have learned here. We must keep in mind that success is determined by how positively we affect other people’s lives. Let’s keep in mind that failure is only a stepping stone on the road to success and that the greatest lessons frequently lie outside of our comfort zones. We are not just valedictorians; we are leaders; and change-makers. We must be proud of who we are, we are graduates of IUJ, people who can contribute significantly to today’s ever-changing world. Let’s keep the virtues of honesty, and perseverance with us. It is our responsibility to bring about positive change in the world by effectively applying our skill sets, making not only ourselves but our families and our university proud.
Theodore Roosevelt said, “Believe you can and you’re halfway there”. – So, my fellow graduates, always believe in yourselves, and let’s conquer every challenge that is ahead of us. Thank you.