Congratulations to the new graduates from the United Graduate School of Agricultural Science and United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences. Today, thirty-five of you will receive your graduate school degree from Gifu University. In recent years, the graduation ceremony of our United Graduate Schools has seen many international students. In fact, nearly half of today's graduates have come from overseas, and hence, I shall give this address in English. To emphasize our global strength, I would like to mention the countries these students have come from. Of the sixteen international students, six are from Bangladesh, five from People's Republic of China, three from Indonesia, and one each from Vietnam and Iran.

Overall, our graduate schools have a large number of students coming from government offices, academic institutions or private sector companies from across the globe. This also brings families of diverse backgrounds to this ceremony, which fills us with warmth and also speaks of the international presence of the United Graduate Schools of Gifu University.

Both graduate schools have a history of more than twenty years now, and previous graduates are already taking charge as top government officers, university presidents, and private sector CEOs. Of course, you newly graduated students have a long road ahead, but whenever you face a challenging task, please remember all the efforts you put in during graduate school. I am confident that the challenges you faced while writing your thesis will help you tackle any hurdle in your chosen field.

Finally, I recommend you to continue maintaining close contact with your teachers and university staff, because they are prepared to and will definitely provide you with any help you may need in the future, whether in academics, the private sector, or in government offices.

I look forward to seeing you and your work reach top heights in your field of choice, no matter where you go.

Congratulations once again and thank you for your attention.

March 13, 2019
Hisataka Moriwaki, MD, PhD
President, Gifu University