At this AY 2022 Commencement Ceremony for Gifu University Graduate Schools, it gives me immense pleasure to offer my heartfelt congratulations to this year's graduating students and faculty members who have been guiding and leading them to date with great patience and dedication. The 2022 Commencement Ceremony for the United Graduate School of Agricultural Science and United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences was conducted on March 13. Today, we have the honor of the presence of Dr. HARA Hideaki, President of Gifu Pharmaceutical University, at this ceremony. Gifu Pharmaceutical University is a constituent university of the United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences.

　In 2022, the world was significantly affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, people from around the world continue to face severe hardships in life, such as soaring material and energy prices. These challenges have also placed considerable strain on our university's resources.
　It is quite unfortunate that the pandemic has restricted student activities on campus over the past three years. Despite such restrictions, students have demonstrated remarkable resilience in maximizing opportunities to attend classes as well as participate in research experiments, projects, and training programs. Similarly, our faculty members have devoted substantial time and energy in developing new educational curricula and teaching platforms to better prepare our students for the "new normal." Although today's convocation, which marks the beginning of a new journey for our graduates, is being held with restricted attendance, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to fellow students, guardians, and faculty members for their camaraderie, guidance, and invaluable support toward our graduating students.

　Gifu University's history can be traced back to 1873 when Gifu Prefectural Normal School was founded. It embarked on an exciting chapter on April 1, 2020 through the establishment of a new institutional framework by uniting Gifu University and Nagoya University under a single corporate entity known as the "Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS)." The class of 2022 marks the third graduating cohort under this new framework.
　While sharing THERS' mission of "Make New Standards for The Public" and upholding Gifu University's own long-term ideals of "Learning, Exploring, and Contributing," we advocate the following core values of our new vision and strategies for the future: "strategic promotion of co-creation within the community," "execution of unique and original research projects," "sparking of innovations," "provision of quality education," and "serving as a hub for community revitalization to address various issues of humanity." Bearing this approach in mind, we usher in and embrace the incoming new age with our stakeholders.
　Throughout our 150-year-old history, many of our outstanding alumni have attained leadership positions in various educational, corporate/industrial, and governmental fields, both in Japan and overseas. Some of our alumni have assumed prominent global posts, such as executive members of international business entities, leaders in cutting-edge enterprises, mayoral posts, and university presidents. Our faculties and graduate schools are highly rated nationwide and internationally owing to the significant contributions made by our alumni. All of you who have earned a well-deserved degree from this distinctive institution today will follow the path paved by your forerunners and also play your part in your own field of expertise in society in the future. As you seek to carve out your individual paths, always remember the following two pieces of advice: one is to maintain both global and regional perspectives and the other is to have the courage to venture into unknown areas by contributing new knowledge and becoming pioneers in your own right.
　At Gifu University, you diligently pursued a life of joy and fulfillment in all aspects; you studied, practiced, discussed with your mentors and friends, and sought truths with great patience. Your persistent efforts to provide solutions to diverse socioeconomic issues at home and abroad as well as your sincere contributions to the materialization of "Society 5.0¹" are being highly appreciated by all members of Gifu University and the society at large. You overcame the most trying times during the pandemic, thereby equipping yourself with strong resilience, vigor, and energy. I hope that you continue to march forward on your journey of exploration to achieve greater goals and success in the future.

　Now, I would like to share some of my views on life and convey my expectations as you are standing at one of the most crucial crossroads in life. First, please continue to pursue your dreams throughout your life. Imagine what you will be doing 10 years from today, and review your life every 10 years. Carefully reflecting on your life goals will help to determine your fate and destiny. Well-thought and well-prepared plans and a strong resolve to implement them are the surest paths to fulfilling your lifelong goals. Needless to say, you will make thousands of mistakes, experience numerous failures, and be hampered by enormous setbacks before you finally succeed, but in your struggles, you could encounter unexpected fortunes and new discoveries, that is, you may experience "serendipity.²" Such experiences will enlighten you and help you build a rich, rewarding life full of excitement and joy. "People who are successful talk about their dreams whereas unhappy people only complain." Please remember this quote whenever you do deep soul searching at every important juncture of your life.
　Today onwards, you will assume individual roles as responsible members of society. Whichever academic or career path you may choose, today marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. You are expected to work for the benefit of people and society and flexibly adapt yourself to any situation as a highly skilled professional, particularly in the coming days when new post-pandemic rules will be applied in Japan.

　Seki City, Gifu Prefecture is renowned for its traditional cutlery industry with a long-standing history of 700 years. To produce high-quality Japanese swords, long, repetitive, and labor-intensive processes are needed, such as forging, folding, heat treatment, and polishing. Without such enduring and tireless work, smooth, shiny, and sturdy Japanese swords cannot be produced. The same can be said for all of us. Constant, painstaking efforts truly help us grow and mature to be able to serve the community and society as an important contributor. Use your own expertise as well as the available extensive knowledge to promote the well-being of society and the community. Like-minded youth who share the same vision and mission can together enforce the "power of knowledge" and create new values.
　The Japanese baseball team "Samurai Japan" clinched the nation's third championship trophy on March 22 at the 2023 World Baseball Classic after many hard-fought games against formidable international teams. The team's victory has inspired Japanese people and given us great courage and hope. Every member of the team practiced hard and tried their level best to be ready for this prestigious tournament. In addition, a strong trust built among the team members brought them brilliant victories. What was most impressive was the sincere words of appreciation expressed by all the team members in their interviews. Whichever academic or business field you choose and aspire to succeed in, please use your hard-won opportunities to emulate the Samurai Japan players. The appreciation expressed by you will also give you a "ticket" to attain your future dreams.

　The happiest moment for us would be to see you live a fulfilling, productive life in high spirits. Arm yourself with the wisdom you have gained here, be proud of yourself, and walk with your head held high as a Gifu University graduate. Demonstrate your strong leadership skills in the global community by utilizing the robust networks and friendships you have forged both on and off campus.
　I truly look forward to working with each one of you in the near future.

March 25, 2023

YOSHIDA Kazuhiro
President, Gifu University

1) Society 5.0 is the next stage of society after the hunter-gatherer society (Society 1.0), farming society (Society 2.0), industrial society (Society 3.0), and information society (Society 4.0).
2) Serendipity is an unplanned fortunate discovery.

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