2020 Okayama University Graduation Ceremony Congratulatory Speech

It is a great honor and pleasure to attend the Okayama University Fall 2020Graduation Ceremony along with our other academic and executive staff. I
would like to congratulate all of you on the completion of your undergraduate
and graduate programs. Although your families and friends are unable toattend due to COVID-19, we are very happy to see that you are here and ingood spirits today.

Of the 123 graduates today, 70 have completed doctoral programs, 21
have completed master's programs, 2 have completed professional degree
requirements, and 30 have completed undergraduate programs.

I am sure that COVID-19 has changed life significantly for you and yourfamilies. Indeed, the road to graduation must have been extremely difficult. In
spite of these difficulties, however, the hardships have provided us withvaluable opportunities for learning. One vital lesson we have learned is thatmany of the major challenges we will face in the future will have themomentum and ferocity to engulf the entire planet in an instant. In order tosolve these issues, it will be important for innovators from various academic
disciplines and cultures to create partnerships that transcend generations andphysical location.

Okayama University is currently promoting the UN SDGs through an
institution-wide approach. Last year, I was invited to the United Nations in New
York to speak at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
about how Okayama University has integrated the SDGs into our institutional
vision and strategic development plan and how we are incorporating the SDGs
into society through our educational and research enterprises.

The first step in this process is back-casting, in which we proactively
envision definite goals for the future that will guide our mission and practices.
In the second step, called outside-in, we share the social issues and needs ofthe society around us.

The third step involves Okayama University taking theinitiative to engage in open innovation with multiple stakeholders. The final
step is social implementation in which we develop the academic outcomes
derived from our human intellectual activities in order to furnish solutions forsocietal issues. These four steps, coupled with resilient partnerships rooted indiversity and inclusiveness, will enable us to face difficult challenges such as
COVID-19.

Okayama University has established a global alumni network including 55
alumni associations in various locations around the world. I hope you will
participate in alumni chapter activities in your home countries. In order torealize the mission of the SDGs and to broaden and deepen partnerships
among the university, alumni, and communities, we plan to ensure alumni
interactions through internet communication technology. Of course, whenever
you feel the need to further your intellectual journey, you will always be
welcomed back to Okayama University.

Finally, we hope that you will be proud of what you have learned atOkayama University and what you have accomplished in obtaining yourrespective degrees. We wish you a lifetime of success, health, and happinessin your future.

I once again express my heartiest congratulations to everyone on yourgraduation today.

Hirofumi Makino,President, Okayama University National University Corporation
September 25th, 2020