Degree Conferment Ceremony for AY 2017 Held

On March 20, 2018 (Tue), the degree conferment ceremony for AY2017 was held at the University of Aizu auditorium. 279 individuals, including 219 students graduating from the Undergraduate School of Computer Science and Engineering, 57 students completing the Master's Program, two students completing the Doctoral program, and one individual receiving a Dissertation PhD, were conferred with degrees that will help them contribute to society in their own way.

At the conferment ceremony, University President Ryuichi Oka conferred diplomas to Undergraduate Representative Koji Sato, Master's Program Representative Kazuya Anazawa, Doctoral program Mohammed Hassan and Yu Yan.

Following congratulatory addresses by the Governor of Fukushima and Aizuwakamatsu City Mayor, current students who have shown superior academic performance and research results were presented with awards. Undergraduate Representative Yohei Shimmyo stated his reply address. I'm sure that the knowledge and skills we acquired at this university will help us overcome these tough times, Further, I will continue making an effort to contribute to the local and international society in the future.

After the conferment ceremony, commemorative photos were taken, diplomas were presented to each student, and a UoA Supporters Association-sponsored Graduation Party was held at the UoA cafeteria. At this party, which symbolizes the end of student life for most of these students, participants enjoyed pleasant conversation and taking commemorative photos.

Students who were commended are as listed below:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With the long days of snow finally leaving Aizu behind, and the imminent arrival of spring, we find ourselves in a season that calms the spirits. It is my great pleasure to see you gathered here today at this Degree Conferment Ceremony. On this day, 219 undergraduate students, 57 Master's students, 2 Doctoral students, and one dissertation doctorate will be receiving their hard-earned degrees, for which I offer my heartfelt congratulations.

Today, we are joined by honored guests including the Governor of Fukushima Prefecture and the Mayor of Aizuwakamatsu City, who have come here to celebrate your graduations along with myself and the members of the faculty and administrative staff. However, no one could be happier on this long-awaited day than the friends and family who have supported each of you graduating students for all these years. On behalf of the university, please allow me to express my deepest gratitude to all these family members, friends, and supporters.

Each of you graduating today has chosen to either join the work force or advance to graduate school. But what sort of era awaits you? Both Japan and the world at large are entering an era of instability and change. For example, technologies such as AI, robotics, and big data are steadily advancing, which some predict will cause the loss of jobs. In times like these, creativity takes on a new significance. Even until now, "creativity, creativity, creativity" has been something of a rallying call. However, it was perceived that only a chosen few were capable of answering this call. Nevertheless, as the roles of AI, robotics, and big data analysis grow, there is now a need for not just this chosen few, but for the vast majority of people to answer this call. This is because the nature of work is changing. Those of you who have mastered information and computer technology at the UoA will be expected to have the creativity needed to create methods and systems for fighting problems such as Japan's changing demographics. That said, you will need some grandiose type of creativity. The creativity you have gained through each of the tiny successes you have experienced will suffice. Experiencing small successes, I believe, is the most important thing you will need once you set foot in the real world. Faced with these changing times, I hope that all of you, whether you have chosen to enter the workforce or continue your studies in graduate school, will use the fundamental technologies you studied here at the university to create the world of the future. When that happens, I hope that you will realize and experience the fact that no matter how great an innovation is, most of the components at its core are ordinary, simple technologies. I also think that you will realize that, opportunities to innovate are available to everyone, the same way that sunlight shines on all of us.

Whether you are going straight to work, or going on to graduate school, many days of epic struggle await you. If occasion requires you to take a roundabout path, I suggest that, from time to time, you do so without hesitation.

It has been seven years since the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. The revitalization of Fukushima and Japan is now in full swing, and has entered a phase of acceleration. I have high hopes that all of you, regardless of where in Japan you are, will participate in, and contribute to this revitalization as computer scientists and engineers.

In closing, please allow me to once again congratulate you all on your graduations and to wish you success in your chosen career paths.

March 20, 2018
Ryuichi OKA,
President,
The University of Aizu