Address from the President
On behalf of the faculty, staff and current students, I would like to extend my heartfelt
congratulations to all of our graduating students. I would also like to express my sincere appreciationand congratulations to your families and the relatives who have supported and encouraged you to thisday. In addition, as the President of the university, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to thefaculty and staff of the University.
Today marks the end of your journey at the University and you will begin your new chapter insociety. I am confident in sending you out into society, and I firmly believe that you will be able tocontribute to society as outstanding members. You have worked over the past four years to move forward
and have shown development that is worthy of the honors you receive today. These four years at theUniversity will remain vivid in your memories for a long time, as it is said that our memories from theage of around 20 years old, when our brains are in the midst of an adolescent explosion, last longest inlife.
Of course, the journey to this day was made possible not only by your individual efforts, but also
by the support of your family, friends, teachers, and many other people. Please remember to thank themfor their support and continue to develop yourself further to meet the expectations of your supporters.
The future society that awaits you is by no means an easy one. In the country and in the prefecture,
the falling birthrate and ageing population are accelerating, and the problem of labor shortages isbecoming more and more serious in many areas. Imagine what life will be like if this birthrate continues
to decline. Due to labor and consumer shortages, both production and consumption will decline, so thesize of the domestic and in-prefecture economy will shrink and international competitiveness will decline.
The social security system and pensions will shrink, including increased medical and nursing care costs,
meaning the Japanese economy will be in financial crisis and the local economy may not be able tosustain itself. Meanwhile, looking at the world, there are many unsettling factors such as global warming,wars between nations and global polarization. Among them, technological revolutions such as artificial
intelligence (AI), robots and automated vehicles will progress at an ever-increasing pace.
We ought to understand other cultures, to think of the world as one, or of humanity living on theearth as a community of destiny, and to create a world of interdependence. It is with this in mind that wehave "Miyazaki International University, Bridging Miyazaki and the World" as the slogan and I verymuch wish you to have the mindset and take on the challenge of tackling these issues.
By the way, I wish you all a happy life. I know that everyone has different values of happiness.
However, the happiness I feel is not the materialistic wealth, financial wealth or social status. Such things
are like a costume you wear; if you take it off or lose it, you become only a person, an unhappy person.
However, the inner fulfilment of human beings and the happiness of comfortable relationships are noteasily lost. I urge you to continue to have comfortable relationships and a pleasant sense of fulfilment insociety and at home.
Last but not least, the diploma we are conferring upon you today is a certificate that proves thatyou will be able to make it in the world. Some of you may think that your studies in life end at elementary,junior high, and high school, and then at university. The proactive and active learning methods you
learned at university taught you how to study on your own, and the critical thinking skills taught you theability to make objective and correct judgments and decisions in society. These are meaningless unless
you continue to apply these skills in society. Regardless of the workplace you find yourself in, I urge youto continue learning and keep up the spirit of learning. And consider challenges as privileges bestowed
upon you. By all means, strive to persevere in good health.
Finally, I would like to reiterate, as a member of this University, I send you my warmest
congratulations. Today’s ceremony is a wonderful milestone in your lives. I sincerely hope that your life
will be filled with even greater success and happiness.
Congratulations on your achievement today.
March 13, 2024
Noboru Murakami
President, Miyazaki International University