Heisei 24 Graduate School United Graduate School of Agricultural Science Entrance Ceremony

April 13, 24
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Cho Matsunaga Kore

Congratulations to all of you who have enrolled in Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology United Graduate School of Agricultural Science. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I would like to congratulate you. I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to my family and all those involved who have supported me in the shadows and sunshine until now. We hope that you will continue to warmly watch over them as they grow through various experiences as students of our university.

This year, there are a total of 44 new students: 12 Department of Biological Production Science, 6 Department of Applied Life Science, 14 Department of Symbiotic Science of Environment and Natural Resources, 77 Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, and 5 Department of Science on Agricultural Economy and Symbiotic Society. This includes 8 international students from 6 countries. These 44 of you will be the new sprouts of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, spreading leaves, blossoming, and becoming seeds that will take root and grow again. The days you spend at our university will have a great deal to do with what kind of tree you will become in the future. We sincerely hope that you will play an active role in your activities.

As you know, with the progress of science and technology, modern society has come to face many global crisis problems related to the survival of humankind, including problems such as the environment, energy, food, health, safety and security, and disasters. In addition, Japan has the urgent task of recovering from last year's earthquake disaster. In dealing with these problems, we scientists must take the lead rather than actively engage in them. In particular, the field of agriculture can be said to be the academic field that is most directly related to the survival of humankind, regardless of whether it is from the perspective of the environment, resources, or food. Since its founding in 1874, the university has continued to evolve to produce scientists who will contribute to the modernization and internationalization of Japan in various aspects, while contributing to the development of human resources who will be responsible for solving and realizing problems and the development of knowledge, while contributing to the advancement of science and technology in harmony with world peace and society and the natural environment. This United Graduate School of Agricultural Science was established in collaboration with Ibaraki University and Utsunomiya University beyond the framework of universities, and to develop more sophisticated and useful cutting-edge agricultural research while making use of and supplementing the characteristics of each research, and is the best place to develop human resources who will be the driving force behind the construction of a sustainable recycling-oriented society. The role of this graduate school is to help you become an international opinion leader who contributes to the coexistence and welfare of humankind. Therefore, I would like to talk about what kind of mindset I would like everyone to have in the future, and today I would like to talk about "failure" as one of them.

As a scientist, failure is inevitable. No one wants to fail. Especially these days, I think there is a tendency to hide failures or to be afraid of failure and only do safe things. Of course, we don't want you to fail. However, in conducting research with high ideals, it is impossible not to make a single mistake. When your experiments don't go well, you don't get the results you want, or you don't know how to proceed with your research, I would like you to remember these words of Thomas Edison.

"I haven't failed, I've discovered ten thousand times that this won't work."
(I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.)

As long as you live ambitiously, nothing is wasted. Even things that seem like failures can be found in them and connected to the next one. A scientist is one who has conviction, makes a plan, is not afraid of failure, does not give up, repeatedly takes on challenges, steadily advances experiments one by one, achieves results, and returns them to society for the benefit of society. You will be one of them. My days at this graduate school are a preparatory stage for students to play an active role at the forefront after completing their studies. Since you are conducting research at this United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, which allows you to transcend the boundaries of the university, transcend nationalities, and have a global perspective, I would like you to make effective use of these characteristics and have a wide range of experiences. Flexible thinking, absorption, multifaceted perspectives, objectivity, a challenging attitude, an indomitable mind, and a highly sensitive sensibility are all things that you can acquire while studying at this graduate school, and they will be treasures for you in the future. I would also like you to become high-quality researchers who will play a central role in solving global problems and make a significant contribution to the construction of a recycling-oriented society and a sustainable society.

Finally, there is one more thing that seems obvious but very important. Research can be mentally and physically demanding at times. Without a healthy mind and body, you will not be able to continue your academic career. In particular, I think that people who come from rural areas and overseas may be worried about various things in an unfamiliar place. Please take good care of your health and have a fruitful university life. Of course, we are not satisfied with the current situation. We will always do our utmost to further develop and support you even more strongly. I would like to conclude my remarks by expressing my hope that all of you gathered here today will not forget your feelings today and that you will grow greatly as members of society who will lead tomorrow, and that you will once again welcome all of you to become members of our university.