For the details on the ceremony, see the news.
On behalf of Niigata University, it is my great pleasure to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all graduating students on their academic achievement.
Until 2019, we used to hold a joint graduation ceremony for all the graduating students of the university at Toki Messe. However, we had no choice but to cancel the ceremony last year as the novel coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) spread rapidly all over the world. Since the pandemic is still raging, we decided not to hold a joint ceremony at Toki Messe this year as well but to hold separate ceremonies for each faculty and graduate school as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, I am sending you my video message. I know that graduation is a major memorable life event for you and your families, so this was indeed a tough decision for us to make. I ask for your kind understanding.
Most of you entered the university four years ago. Who could have foreseen at that time that the COVID-19 pandemic would occur? I suppose some of you might have come to Niigata City for the first time or have started living alone for the first time. It must have all started with various encounters and the first experiences such as meeting your classmates for the first time at the entrance ceremony, and taking your first class at the university. I believe you had even more encounters and experiences through your campus life such as attending classes and practical courses, visiting companies, taking part in seminars, engaging in extracurricular activities, participating in the Double-Home activities, studying abroad, interacting with international students, conducting laboratory experiments, giving presentations at academic conferences, or traveling with close friends. That must have been quite normal.
The world, however, has changed with the world-wide spread, or pandemic of COVID-19 since early last year. In the past year, classes were mostly conducted online and there were few opportunities to meet your classmates. Not being able to participate in competitions of the extracurricular activities you were engaged in must have been frustrating. It is truly unfortunate that you were not able to fully enjoy your university life without restraint before you graduate from this university.
Yet, you must have realized amid this distressing COVID-19 pandemic that what you have thought to be normal was actually irreplaceable. You must have learned that things like waking up in the morning to go to the university, greeting your friends on the street, attending lectures, eating and laughing with your classmates, devoting yourself to extracurricular activities, or having a heated discussion and drinking with your friends were actually really precious moments.
Above all, you must have realized that a life full of vigor is only possible through interaction with other people.
We are facing various challenges amid the COVID-19 crisis, and these represent major changes toward a new society.
This COVID-19 crisis will eventually settle down. You are the ones who will be the driving force of the next generation. I am confident that you, who have experienced, endured, reflected on, and will have overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, will open up a new era.
On the occasion of your graduation, I hope that you will overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, and will become the front-runners in opening up the society of the future that will come after this pandemic, taking the university’s philosophy, "Autonomy and Creativity" to your heart.
I just said that "Autonomy and Creativity" is the philosophy of Niigata University. "Autonomy" means to behave according to your own established norms, and "Creativity" means to produce something new. Under "Autonomy and Creativity" as our educational philosophy, the faculty and staff members of the university have always worked with you in hope of nurturing individuals with "resilience" along with suppleness just like the branches of willow, which is the symbol of Niigata City. Therefore, I believe that having studied at Niigata University, you will not simply imitate others since you have acquired the habit of "always establishing your own norms."
I would like to convey my three wishes to all the graduating students.
First, "never lose your intellectual curiosity during your lifetime." Intellectual curiosity is the source of creativity. I encourage you to continue maintaining your curiosity in various things without confining yourself to your fields of study.
Second, "never forget the joy of learning and keep learning." Persistence always pays off. There is so much to learn at all times.
Third, "never forget your dreams during your lifetime." This dream will also guide your way as you move on in life.
No matter path you choose after graduation, please keep "Autonomy and Creativity" in your heart. See and hear things for yourself; see the facts with your own eyes to make your judgment; maintain your "intellectual curiosity"; never forget "the joy of learning and persevere in learning"; and advance toward realizing your "dreams" faithfully.
Niigata University is your alma mater and your home. Take the step toward the future proud of the fact that you have learned at this university. We will also continue to watch over you. I hope that you will shine in various fields and serve as good examples for the students coming after you. I would like to end my message with best wishes for your happiness.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my congratulations.
March 23, 2021
USHIKI Tatsuo, M.D., Ph.D.
President, Niigata University
各位本科、硕士与博士毕业生、以及完成养护教谕特别别科课程的同学们，恭喜你们毕业了。我谨代表新潟大学致以由衷的祝贺。
直到前年的这个季节，全体毕业生都会欢聚于朱鹭展览馆，举办盛大的新潟大学毕业典礼。但在去年，在以全球规模迅速蔓延的新冠病毒（COVID-19）的影响下，我们不得不取消了毕业典礼。至今，新冠疫情都还未结束，因此今年也不能相聚一堂，不能为大家在朱鹭展览馆举办盛典！为避免感染，今年的毕业典礼将改在各学部或研究科分别举行。于是，我的致辞也变成了这种视频的方式。对同学们与家长们而言，大学毕业是人生的一个重要环节，毕业典礼更是一次难忘而又重要的仪式，这对我们大学举办方而言也是一次艰难的决择。希望大家能给予谅解。
大部分同学在4年前入学时，应该都预料不到自己会遭遇新冠疫情吧。第一次来新潟市的同学，第一次独自生活的同学。大家应该都是在开学典礼上第一次遇到同年级同学、在大学的第一堂课里有各种各样的相遇，从一个个第一次开启你们的大学生涯、研途之旅的吧！ 此外，想必你们在之后的大学生活里，上课见习、企业参观、研讨会、社团活动、地方问题探讨、国外留学、与留学生的交流、研究室的实验、学会演讲、或与意气相投的好友外出旅行等，有了更多的相遇，积累了更丰富的经验。而且，这些都是最普通不过的事情了吧！
然而，由于去年年初出现的新冠疫情及其全球大流行，世界突然大变。在这1年里，课堂变成了非面对面的网课，与盟友见面的机会也少了很多吧。课外活动方面，不能参加比赛等，大家也会觉得遗憾吧。还未过上悠然自得的大学生活就迎来了毕业，这是最遗憾不过的了！
但是，大家应该已在这次痛苦的新冠疫情中发现：以前觉得普普通通的事情、或一直普普通通在做的事情其实都是无可替代的事情。例如，早晨醒来后上学、在路上与朋友打招呼、出席听讲、与盟友说笑聚餐、沉迷于社团活动、时而唾沫横飞、举杯谈笑风生，那些其实都是无可替代的事情。
而且最重要的，想必大家都已觉察到：其实我们在与人交流时曾是那样的生气勃勃。
在这次新冠疫情中，我们正经历着各种各样的考验。但是，那是面向新社会的重大转变。
新冠疫情终将结束。那时肩负时代重任的正是各位同学。我坚信：只有身处疫情、忍受疫情、在疫情中思考并熬过难关的你们才会开拓出一个新时代。
而且，我希望即将离开新潟大学的你们能牢记新潟大学“自律与创生”的理念，战胜新冠疫情，作为开拓更广阔的未来社会的领跑者一展所长。
我刚刚说了，新潟大学的理念就是“自律与创生”。“自律与创生”，正如其字面意思所言，“自律”就是按照自己制定的规范去行动，“创生”就是创造新事物。新潟大学的教职员工始终凭着“自律与创生”这一理念，抱着培育如同新潟的城市象征——“柳树”枝条般柔和而不屈的“真才实学”的人才的愿望，与各位相处。因此，我坚信：在新潟大学学习过的各位肯定不会只停留在单单效仿他人，而是养成了“始终自己制定自己行为规范的习惯”。
面对即将毕业的你们，我有三个愿望。
第一个愿望是“希望大家终身持续保有求知欲”。求知欲是创造力的源泉。请千万不要拘泥于专业，而是要对各种事物都抱有好奇心。
第二个愿望是“希望大家不要忘记学习的喜悦，坚持学习”。因为坚持就是力量，而且，无论何时都会有学不完的东西。
最后，第三个愿望是“希望大家终身都要有梦”。 因为有梦才不会迷失方向，才会不断追求奋进！
不论大家毕业之后选择了怎样的道路，都请将“自律与创生”铭刻于心，在亲眼所见、亲耳所闻、自己分辨事实并做出判断的同时，带着“求知欲”，牢记“学习的喜悦和坚持学习”，朝着自己的“梦想”奋进。
同学们，新潟大学既是大家的母校，也是大家的故乡。请大家带着曾在新潟大学就读的骄傲与自豪迈向未来。新潟大学永远是你们的坚强后盾。希望你们能在各行各业大显身手，为后辈们指引前进的方向，成为他们奋斗的楷模。我的致辞到此结束，祝愿大家未来一切顺利。
最后，向全体毕业生再次表示热烈的祝贺！
2021年3月23日
新潟大学校长 牛木辰男
Click HERE for the Japanese message .