Meiji University held its Entrance Ceremony for the 2024 academic year at Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on April 7. A total of 8,617 new students (7,561 undergraduates and 1,056 graduate school students) made a fresh start to the 2023 academic year.
The Ceremony was held in two parts, one for each of the undergraduate and graduate schools, and each part consisted of an address by President UENO Masao, a congratulatory address by Chairman, Board of trustees YANAGIYA Takashi and a pledge by the representative of the new students.
In his speech, President UENO stated that the Meiji University which was founded to realize “Rights and Liberty” and “Independence and Self-Government,” the spirit of its establishment, still exists today. He said in a vigorous manner, “I want you to remember this memorable first step, and from here I hope you will confidently open up your own future and the future of Japan, the world and Meiji University, which is entrusted to you.”
In the congratulatory speech that followed, YANAGIYA, Chairman, Board of Trustees encouraged the students, saying, “We greatly hope that you will hone your global skills and high levels of expertise necessary for working with people around the world, and also develop the ‘individuality’ suiting each of you and carve out a future that is difficult to predict.”
The student representatives, KANEKO Sanshiro (School of Information and Communication) and HAYAKAWA Mai (School of Political Science and Economics) took an oath in the morning and afternoon section, respectively. KANEKO said, “In four years, I would like to expand my knowledge to explore what I do not know now: what the world is like now, what it will be like in the future, and what we can do.” and HAYAKAWA said, “In order to become a person who can play an active role in the world, we will have a fulfilling university life under the spirit of ‘Rights and Liberty’ and ‘Independence and Self-Government,’ and discover new possibilities to establish ‘individuality.’”
The ceremony featured a welcoming performance by the Symphony Orchestra, Glee Club and Mixed Chorus, and then video messages were broadcast from representatives of alumni members: Ms. KIKUCHI Yuuka (graduated from the School of Law in 2022), TV personality and Mr. SANYUTEI Koyuza (graduated from the School of School of Business Administration in 1969), Rakugo storyteller. The ceremony ended amid applause from the new students and their families for the heartwarming messages.
≪Japanese version≫
The Ceremony was held in two parts, one for each of the undergraduate and graduate schools, and each part consisted of an address by President UENO Masao, a congratulatory address by Chairman, Board of trustees YANAGIYA Takashi and a pledge by the representative of the new students.
President UENO gives an address
In his speech, President UENO stated that the Meiji University which was founded to realize “Rights and Liberty” and “Independence and Self-Government,” the spirit of its establishment, still exists today. He said in a vigorous manner, “I want you to remember this memorable first step, and from here I hope you will confidently open up your own future and the future of Japan, the world and Meiji University, which is entrusted to you.”
Chairman, Board of trustees YANAGIYA gives a congratulatory address
In the congratulatory speech that followed, YANAGIYA, Chairman, Board of Trustees encouraged the students, saying, “We greatly hope that you will hone your global skills and high levels of expertise necessary for working with people around the world, and also develop the ‘individuality’ suiting each of you and carve out a future that is difficult to predict.”
Mr. KANEKO (School of Information and Communication) who made a pledge in the morning session
Ms. HAYAKAWA (School of Political Science and Economics) who made a pledge in the afternoon session
The student representatives, KANEKO Sanshiro (School of Information and Communication) and HAYAKAWA Mai (School of Political Science and Economics) took an oath in the morning and afternoon section, respectively. KANEKO said, “In four years, I would like to expand my knowledge to explore what I do not know now: what the world is like now, what it will be like in the future, and what we can do.” and HAYAKAWA said, “In order to become a person who can play an active role in the world, we will have a fulfilling university life under the spirit of ‘Rights and Liberty’ and ‘Independence and Self-Government,’ and discover new possibilities to establish ‘individuality.’”
Commemorative Lecture by Professor MIYASHITA
After the oaths, Professor MIYASHITA Homei of the School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences gave a commemorative lecture. Professor MIYASHITA won the Ig Nobel Prize last year for his research on taste media, which records and reproduces tastes and changes the way we taste. In the lecture, he talked about how to enjoy the theme park of learning. He said to the new students, “I won the Ig Nobel Prize with the graduates of Meiji University, not on my own. I also worked on the research I introduced today, in collaboration with the students I met in the School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences. Let’s have fun together at the best theme park called Meiji University.” The ceremony featured a welcoming performance by the Symphony Orchestra, Glee Club and Mixed Chorus, and then video messages were broadcast from representatives of alumni members: Ms. KIKUCHI Yuuka (graduated from the School of Law in 2022), TV personality and Mr. SANYUTEI Koyuza (graduated from the School of School of Business Administration in 1969), Rakugo storyteller. The ceremony ended amid applause from the new students and their families for the heartwarming messages.
≪Japanese version≫