On Sunday, April 7, 2024, the Gifu University Entrance and Welcome Ceremonies for Academic Year 2024 were held at Nagaragawa Convention Center in Gifu City. The ceremonies were attended by 1,327 newly enrolled undergraduate students and 668 graduate students.

At the Entrance Ceremony, President YOSHIDA Kazuhiro of Gifu University delivered the following congratulatory message: "A Japanese educator, FUKUZAWA Yukichi (1835 - 1901), who founded Keio University in Tokyo in 1858, is well-known for his motto 'Itan to Sendou.' (heterodoxy and leadership). This motto exemplifies Fukuzawa's call for intellectual courage, innovation, and societal transformation. It invites people to challenge the status quo and lead Japan into a new era of enlightenment.

In the field of gastrointestinal surgery, which is my specialty as a medical doctor, laparoscopic surgery and robot arm-assisted operations are standard practice today, reducing the physical trauma of patients. In this procedure, a surgeon creates a tiny incision in a patient's abdomen, through which a laparoscope is inserted and used to perform the entire operation. Over 100 years ago, Fukuzawa wrote the following passage in his book: "A time will definitely come when a patient can quickly recover from surgery using an endoscope or laparoscope." At that time, even open abdominal surgery was not yet an established practice. His insight may have been considered 'heterodoxy' by his contemporaries, but it ultimately served as a guiding light, leading the medical community toward creativity and innovation. Stand firm on the moral high ground, armed with integrated knowledge and wisdom, embrace the status of 'heterodoxy' in this time, and lead the world in the years ahead."

On behalf of the new students, Ms. ANZAI Kokoro from the Faculty of Regional Studies remarked, "As proud Gifu University students, we pledge to devote ourselves to our study and research activities and make a consistent effort towards the better future."

After the Entrance Ceremony, the 'Welcome Ceremony' was held for the first time for newly enrolled undergraduate students. During the ceremony, Mr. NAKASUJI Norikazu, a Gifu University alumnus and the former president of Pilot Ink Co.,Ltd., was invited as a special guest. He delivered a message to the students, emphasizing that their inspirations and sensibilities, cultivated in the pursuit of their research goals and quest for innovations, are crucial. He said, "Nothing is more important than persevering diligently until results are achieved. As students, you can nurture a mindset of tenacity while you are at school."

Later, Gifu University student club members introduced their extracurricular activities and the ceremony concluded with joy and excitement among the participants.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our newly enrolled students on their admission to Gifu University. We are committed to providing unwavering support and guidance as they work towards realizing their hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

The ceremonies were livestreamed on the Gifu University YouTube Channel for Gifu University students and guardians. Please access the links below.