With a view to preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19), Niigata University has made a difficult decision to cancel the AY 2021 Fall Graduation Ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Instead of holding the ceremony, the congratulatory video message from the President including some photos of our campus and events was posted on our official website as well as YouTube between September 21, 2021 and October 31, 2021.
Now the video is no longer available, but we are delivering the message on this website as follows:
On behalf of Niigata University, it is my great pleasure to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all graduating students on their academic achievement.
In ordinary circumstances, we hold the Autumn graduation ceremony for all the graduating students of the university at the library hall, and I usually wear my academic gown to give a congratulatory speech. However, as the novel coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic is not yet contained this year, I will be sending my congratulations to you through this video message. I know that graduation is a major memorable life event for you, and this was indeed a tough decision for me to make. I ask for your kind understanding.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is a pity that most classes for the past year and a half were carried out online, but how was your student life at Niigata University? Despite the limitations resulting from the pandemic, I hope that you could maintain your bonds of friendship, continue with your studies without losing your intellectual curiosity, and make the most use of your university life.
On the occasion of your graduation, I would like to mention to you once again Niigata University’s philosophy. Do you all remember Niigata University’s philosophy? It is "Autonomy and Creativity".
"Autonomy" literally means to behave according to your own established norms, and "Creativity" means to produce something new. 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."
That is to say, the practice of observing things by yourself, identifying facts with your own eyes and making your own decisions. I believe that this ability, which is nurtured through the philosophy of "Autonomy and Creativity", will develop into "genuine strength" like supple but unbreakable branches of a willow tree, the symbol of Niigata’s streets, and will ultimately shine a light onto your future.
The waves of COVID 19 repeatedly surge towards us, increasing its magnitude continuously. The end of the battle against the virus is not in sight, but let us consider what the world would be like after the coronavirus crisis has subsided.
The crisis has drastically accelerated the wider use of online format. Online classes have become a realistic alternative to students, and various meetings such as academic conferences were also all carried out online. Needless to say, the current situation makes traveling abroad difficult, but with the use of the internet, international conferences and exchanges are taking place online. I believe that these changes will continue to develop in various ways even after the coronavirus crisis, and accordingly, a new form of communication will be created in our society. In that sense, the experiences which you have gained during this crisis will be of great use to you.
Digital transformation (DX) is also coming closer to reality. The definition for DX is "Integrating digital technology into society in order to improve the lives of people". We can definitely say that during the coronavirus crisis, digital technology has steadily permeated into our lives. However, it cannot be called DX, unless it is something which leads to improving our lives. With the spread of the Internet, global news unfolds in front of us in real time through the Internet. At the same time, fake news is rampant, and slander on social media has started to surface as the form of “flaming” in a violent way. In this complicated society, it is you, the people who live in this era, who can contribute to create a new moral in our 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 have overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, will create a new era. I hope that you, who are graduating from Niigata University, 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 would like to convey my three wishes to all the graduating students.
First, "never lose your intellectual curiosity during your lifetime."
Second, "keep learning and persevere in learning."
Third, "never forget your dreams during your lifetime."
Intellectual curiosity is the source of creativity. Persistence always pays off. Dreams will 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. I hope that you remain connected with the friends you have made at Niigata University, lead an active life while continuing to deepen your ties with the university, and that you will shine in various fields and serve as good examples for the students coming after you.
Congratulations on your graduation. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you all.
I bid you farewell with my favorite words by the German poet, Friedrich Schiller.
Stay true to the dreams of thy youth!
I wish you all the best for the brighter future ahead of you!
September 2021
USHIKI Tatsuo, M.D., Ph.D.
President, Niigata University
今年秋季将从新潟大学毕业的各位本科同学、以及完成研究科学业的各位研究生同学，祝贺你们毕业/结业了。我谨代表新潟大学致以由衷的祝福。
往年，我们会在图书馆礼堂里和同学们齐聚一堂举办秋季毕业典礼，我也会穿着学术袍向大家送上祝福。但是，鉴于今年新冠病毒COVID19大流行仍未结束，请允许我以视频致辞的方式送上我的祝福。毕业典礼对于同学们来说是个重大的人生转折点，无法在此时面对面送上祝福实为一大遗憾。
由于新冠疫情，最近1年半的授课基本上都采用在线方式，同学们在新潟大学的学生生活过得怎么样呢？希望大家在受到新冠疫情限制的情况下也依然与朋友们保持联系，带着求知欲努力学习，度过了有意义的大学生活。
值此毕业之际，我想再次和同学们谈谈新潟大学的理念。大家应该还记得新潟大学的理念吧？那就是“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来实践，"创生"就是创新。我坚信，在新潟大学学习过的同学们不会效法他人，而是养成了"始终自己制定自己的规范的习惯"。
那是一种自己仔细观察或倾听事物、用自己的眼睛去分辨事实并做出判断的习惯。根据这种"自律与创生"的理念培养的能力如同新潟的城市象征——"柳树"枝条般，是柔美而又不屈的"真正力量"，一定会照亮大家的将来。
话说回来，新冠疫情的浪潮一次又一次涌来，且其波涛越来越汹涌，目前尚未看到尽头，当新冠疫情结束之后，等待大家的将是怎样的一个世界呢？
新冠疫情期间，在线方式一下子发展起来了。在线授课对大家来说是最现实的事情，各种各样的会议也都来到了线上，学术活动也采用在线方式了。在出入境也变得困难的情况下，得益于互联网的发展，国际会议和与海外的交流自然也逐渐以在线方式进行了。我认为，新冠疫情带来的这种变化在新冠疫情结束之后也一定会以各种方式延续下来，创造出一个崭新的沟通型社会。从这个意义上来说，我认为同学们一定会从新冠疫情的经历中受益。
数字化转型（DX）这个词的现实意义越来越浓了。DX的定义是"通过使数字技术渗透到社会中，使人们的生活变得越来越好"。实际上，在此次新冠疫情期间，数字技术在我们的生活中变得越来越普遍。但是，如果它不能使我们的生活变得越来越好，就不能称之为"DX"吧。互联网普及后，人们就已经能通过网络实时了解世界新闻了。但另一方面，假新闻开始泛滥，利用社交网络的诽谤中伤也开始以"口诛笔伐"的形式被诉诸暴力。正视生活在当今时代的同学们才能在如此复杂的社会中创造出新的道德观。
新冠疫情终将结束。我希望那个时候出现的新时代是由在新冠疫情中生活过、经受住新冠疫情的考验、因新冠疫情而思考并最终战胜新冠疫情的同学们开创的。尤其是即将离开新潟大学的各位同学，请你们牢记新潟大学"自律与创生"的理念，作为开拓新冠疫情后的未来社会的领跑者一展所长。
面对毕业/结业，我对同学们有三个愿望。
第一个愿望是"希望大家终身持续保有求知欲"。
第二个愿望是"希望大家坚持学习"。
最后，第三个愿望是"希望大家始终不忘自己怀抱的梦想"。
求知欲是创造力的源泉。而且，坚持就是力量。此外，梦想是同学们今后人生道路上的路标。不论大家毕业或结业之后选择了怎样的道路，希望大家都要将"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，不失去"求知欲"，牢记"坚持学习"并挑战各种事物，朝着自己的"梦想"稳扎稳打地前行。
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迈出通向未来的步伐。而且，希望同学们在一展所长时能继续与在新潟大学相识相知的朋友们保持联系，并与新潟大学继续加深羁绊，不断闪耀光彩。我也非常期待大家能成为学弟学妹们的榜样和路标。
祝贺大家顺利毕业/结业了！我在此致以由衷的祝福。最后，我要将我喜欢的一句话作为临别赠言送给大家，这句话被认为是德国诗人弗里德里希·冯·席勒留下的。
Stay true to the dreams of thy youth!
祝大家未来一帆风顺！
2021年9月 新潟大学校长 牛木辰男