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President
of Nagasaki University
Hiroshi
Saito
M.D., Ph.D.
President's Profile
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President's Commencement Address at Nagasaki University Graduation Ceremony, FY 2006
March 23, 2007
It is a great honor for Nagasaki University to celebrate the graduation ceremony for FY 2006 in the presence of the President of the Nagasaki University Alumni Association of eight faculties and one research institute as well as the Regents, Deans, and Members of the Education and Research Council.
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to a total of 1,967 graduates, 1,614 Bachelor's degrees and 353 Doctor's and Master's degrees. I would also like to offer my congratulations to their family members who have given them their support.
Today's ceremony has become particularly notable in the 150-year history of Nagasaki University because, in addition to 10 already established degrees of Education, Economics, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Fisheries, Nursing, and Health Sciences, we have added the degree of Master of Tropical Medicine for the first time in Japan and have conferred it upon two Japanese and nine international students who have successfully completed the newly opened program in April last year. This Master's Course is very distinctive in that all lectures and training sessions were conducted in English.
Looking back over the history of Nagasaki University, we can see that Nagasaki University is Japan's oldest University by the fact that the School of Medicine was set up as Igakudenshusho in 1857, the Faculty of Education as the Elementary School Teacher Training Institute in 1874, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences as the Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Department of Medicine of the National Fifth Middle High School in 1890, the Faculty of Economics as Nagasaki Higher Commercial School in 1905, and the Faculty of Fisheries as the Department of Fisheries of Nagasaki Prefectural Teacher Training Institute for Vocational Education in 1921. The University went on to add the Faculty of Engineering in 1966 and the School of Dentistry in 1979, and has continued to develop into one of Japan's leading universities.
Yet Nagasaki University's effort is not limited to all this alone. We opened the Faculty of Environmental Studies 10 years ago and the School of Health Sciences five years ago. The University is not just rich in history but always very sensitive to the changes of the times. That is to say that Nagasaki University is gan old but new universityh which has challenged itself to reorganizations and creating of faculties and departments in response to the demands of the times. You must surely be proud to have learnt at such a distinguished university.
Now, I would like you to turn your attention to 42 international students who have successfully completed their course work. It is not very hard to imagine that they had difficult times while living in a foreign country to explore the area of their expertise, trying to adjust to an unfamiliar culture and lifestyle. But they have managed to do it. I pay my respect to all of them.
Local people's heartfelt assistance to international students should also be recognized. The Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, the Nagasaki North Rotary Club, and Hotel New Tanda granted scholarships and books, the Nagasaki Bus Group provided inexpensive accommodations, and retail stores gave special discounts on fresh products in the late evening hours. We will never forget their contribution and friendship. On behalf of Nagasaki University, I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their cordial consideration.
As a matter of fact, I feel very close to the people who are graduating today. When you first entered University as freshmen in 2003, I was also a newly elected President. I gave my very first complimentary address at your entrance ceremony on April 8. Since then, I have been with you for four years.
Do you still remember what I said at the ceremony? I said that I entered university 50 years ago and made many friends there. I also said that those friends whom I have come to admire or appreciate in their way of life had something in common when they were in college together. That is they all had something to put their heart and soul into. I asked you to do your very best while learning at this University.
Nagasaki Medical College, the predecessor of the School of Medicine, and Nagasaki Normal School, the predecessor of the Faculty of Education, were destroyed by the atomic bomb on August 9, 1945 and suffered the loss of 1,000 precious lives of faculty/administrative staff and students and countless casualties. Those who were victimized would have done commendable jobs if they had survived. In my address four years ago, I said that I believe it is a responsibility of Nagasaki University's faculty/administrative members' and students' to learn well how to live well for our seniors who passed away in such a horrible disaster. 60 years ago, many of your seniors were killed by the atomic bomb right here on this Bunkyo Campus in which cherry blossoms are now in full bloom and on the Sakamoto Campus where the School of Medicine and the University Hospital are situated. In a way, the University Campuses are cemeteries for the people who have lost their lives in that atomic devastation. To dump cigarette butt litter and plastic bottles and such on these Campuses would be shameful deeds which would violate the dead. Such conduct should be prohibited. I asked you then, if you find any trash, to please pick it up and put it in the rubbish bins.I am glad to announce that some people from the cleaning company came up to me and said cigarette butts have drastically lessened. Who has made this change? You have.Four years ago, I received a petition signed by 200 first year and second year students of the School of Health Sciences asking for the extension of library hours and improvement of student library services. Today, those first year students are graduating. Due to their desperate plea, the library is now open on Saturdays and Sundays and its closing time was extended from long practiced 6:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. In addition, 55 million yen was spent on the betterment of the library and tables and chairs were replaced with new ones. Furthermore, users increased by 20 thousand every year from 420 thousand four years ago, and this year is expected to exceed 500 thousand. Who studied in the library? Of course, you did.
Do you know the words from the Founder, Master Dengyo Daishi, Saicho "Ichigu Wo Terasu (To light Up One Corner)"? What he means by gA person who can light up one cornerh is the person who can do his/her best in a situation wherever he/she happens to be and brighten up someone else and our community. President of Nagasaki University Alumni Association, today's honorable guest, and Mr. Shigeo Fukuchi, Advisor of Asahi Breweries, wrote that they both like this phrase. Those of you who are graduating today were exactly this gperson who can light up one corner.h I believe you will still be the same after graduation.
A little while ago, the Nagasaki University Orchestra conducted by our alumnus Mr. Takaaki Taneguchi and the Nagasaki University Romantour Choir entertained us by performing beautiful music. Your junior fellows played and sang with their whole heart. You must have been impressed. They are also gPersons who can light up one cornerh.
Young people's enthusiasm moves us and makes us anticipate a bright future for the earth. Your sincere efforts and positive attitude to life are the most significant gtransmission of intellectual informationh from Nagasaki University to the world, and that will eventually enhance the reputation of the University, eternalize the name of the University, and give light to you as well.
You have learnt the importance of gRespect for Peaceh at Nagasaki University. I believe a human being should understand gRespect for Peaceh to be truly human.
Ladies and gentlemen of 1,967 young and brilliant graduates, please strive hard for the path you believe in keeping always gRespect for Peaceh in mind. This would ultimately be gIchigu Wo Terasuh.
I would like to conclude my complimentary address by wishing you a very happy future in which you will add new pages to the history of Nagasaki University.
Good-bye and good luck, Everyone. I hope to see you again.
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