Nagoya University Civil and Environmental Engineering International
Programs Closing Ceremony, 2023 Fall

CHODEN Sonam
Master Student, Graduate School ofEnvironmental Studies
Esteemed Faculty, graduating students,
ladies and gentlemen, a very good
afternoon.
At the closing ceremony for the NUGELP and Forefront Programme, 2023, I am
standing here in front of you all as a student representative who have embarked on aremarkable journey that has brought all of us here to this moment of accomplishment
and celebration. It is indeed a great honour and pleasure to represent each and everyone of us here today as we gather to celebrate the result of our hard work andcommitment.
Firstly, I on behalf of the graduating students would like to offer our sincere gratitude
to the academic supervisors who have assisted us in navigating this difficult academic
endeavour. Your insight, mentorship and continuous support have been crucial to ourdevelopment and academic achievement. I on behalf of graduating students would
also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the faculty of NUGELP and forefront study
program for providing us this valuable opportunity to be part of environmental
leadership program. This study program has provided us the platform to upgrade
ourselves in the field of environment and emerge as environmental leaders.
As I reflect upon this two-year journey here in Nagoya University and in Japan, I am
reminded of the diversity that define our group. We all have come from diverse
backgrounds, cultures and experiences. This diversity has been significant in ourlearning journey and has augmented our learnings. It indeed has been a great journeyof learning and upgrading ourselves not only in the academic front but also in the dayto-day life activities. Coming from a small country, it was really a great opportunity forme to learn many new things from the developed country like Japan which outdoes intechnology and innovations. Our stay here has made us all wiser, stronger and well
prepared to drive through the challenges of the world. The academic journey here has
equipped us to be leaders and innovators for a better future.

In conclusion, let us not forget the journey that has brought us here, the people whohave supported us, and the ability that we now hold in our hands. As we move forward
in life, let us carry the knowledge and skills acquired and remain committed to create abetter future for all.
Congratulations, my fellow graduates for your achievement. Let us embrace the futurewith hope, purpose, and a commitment to excellence. I wish everyone all the best andgood luck for your future endeavours. Thank you for this opportunity. Thank you.

LIMANTO Darwin
Master Student, Graduate School of EngineeringFirst of all, I would like to say thank you and it truly is anhonour for me to be able to stand here as a studentrepresentative of this closing ceremony of Autumn 2023. I
would like also to express my sincere thanks to all of theesteemed professors, faculty members, and of course myfellow graduates of Nagoya University for making thismomentous day possible.
I would like to guide all of us to look back and recall thesepast 2-3 years where each of us had different backgroundand goals in which we wanted to pursue our studies at
Nagoya University. Me as a student living in Indonesia, I came to Japan to pursue myMaster's degree in the hope of learning more about geotechnical engineering as theproblems related to geotechnical disasters are very alike between Japan and Indonesia.
In addition, there was a particular sense of excitement for me as I was able to push
myself beyond my comfort zone by coming to Japan which has such a distinct andunique culture as well as studying in one of the developed countries and one of theprestigious universities in Japan. I'm sure everyone has their own story, whether it isjoyful or difficult during their studies. However, looking back on my journey from there
until now, I am proud to say that Nagoya University has truly succeeded in providing uswith the facilities and resources to move forward and carve out our successful journey.
As a student representative, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all theacademic advisors who have been instrumental to all of us throughout our studies.
Special thanks also to my supervisor, Associate Professor Kentaro Nakai. He has
supported me a lot, not only in academic fields but also in other things that may seem

small. Yet, those seemingly small things really made up for the amazing experience I
had during my studies.
I had also an opportunity to participate in the NUGELP program. Truly over these past 2years, it has been an amazing journey for me to be able to encounter students from allover the world. I really enjoyed and was amazed to be able to collaborate and discusswith each other to solve global environmental problems despite our different
backgrounds. Nevertheless, because of this, each of us was able to expand ourperspectives on how to overcome this growing issue.
As such, from this moment on, we will now enter the real world, challenging ourselves
as we try to contribute to society. However, let us not be afraid and remain optimistic, I
am confident that what we have learned and experienced will definitely be beneficial
in the future. Let us all move forward in our own ways, collaborate with each other,and contribute to society as proud graduates of this university, Nagoya University.
Once again, thank you very much and congratulations.

Gardiya Mudiyanselage Chamal Anjana Perera
Doctoral Student, Graduate School of Engineering
Good afternoon, dear professors, and my fellow
graduates. I am Chamal Perera from Sri Lanka. I am
representing the Land and Infrastructure DesignLaboratory, under the guidance of Professors Tomitaand Nakamura. First and foremost, I want to extend
my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one ofyou. Today marks a monumental milestone in our lives,
one that we have worked tirelessly to achieve.
I am deeply grateful to Nagoya University for providing
us with the opportunity to participate in theseinternational graduate programs. I belong to theForefront Studies Program, and here we have many
students from the NUGELP program as well. In this moment, I would like to express mygratitude to my supervisor Professor Shinichiro Nakamura, for his guidance throughout
my Ph.D. journey, and to Professor Tomita Takashi for his support.
During my time at the Land and Infrastructure Design Lab, I not only gained knowledge
but also forged lasting friendships. Our work culture was characterized by its

friendliness, flexibility, and the mutual support we extended to one another. I am
certain that many of you can relate to the bonds you've formed over the past fewyears. I must also extend my gratitude to the staff of the Civil and Environmental
Engineering Department, as well as all the dedicated members of Nagoya University
who played vital roles in our academic success.
Our journey began during uncertain times, in the backdrop of a global pandemic. In mycase, I arrived in Japan in November 2020, two months later than originally planned.
Many of us encountered similar challenges and faced hardships during those initialdays. Being away from our families, adjusting to a new culture, and language barriers
were significant hurdles. However, what truly matters is that we persevered,overcoming these challenges to achieve our academic goals.
As we stand on the point of a new chapter in our lives, I extend my heartfelt
congratulations to all of you. May each of us embark on the next phase of our careerswith the same determination and resilience that brought us here today. Remember,challenges are stepping stones to success. I hope each one of you will achieve
remarkable heights in your chosen paths.