Oct 26 2020

The second semester has begun. Although the novel coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) is still raging worldwide, and some areas have been experiencing a big second wave, Japan fortunately remains in control to some extent. However, the spread of COVID-19 has not been settled, and Japan is still in an unpredictable situation for the upcoming winter season. Therefore, Niigata University has started the second semester mainly conducting non-face-to-face classes since the infection control measures are being required as before.

Nowadays, a new lifestyle, which is also called "new normal" under the COVID-19 crisis has taken a hold on our lifestyle compared to this spring, and social activities have gradually started to take place with taking infection control measures from an economic point of view. In that respect, Niigata University has begun conducting some face-to-face classes for the subjects that require face-to-face classes (e.g., experimental/laboratory subjects) of the second semester same as the second term of the first semester. In addition, for those contents where face-to-face classes are effective, we offer so-called hybrid class format which is combined with non-face-to-face classes.

In the questionnaire about the first semester, we generally received good evaluations from our students in spite of non-face-to-face classes, which brings our faculty members great news since they have been struggling to prepare for online classes that are not familiar to them. In the second semester, we will seek an even more effective and attractive class format without impairing the quality of education even though there are various restrictions. For the first year students, we ask each Faculty to make efforts in order to create opportunities to meet and interact with each other so that the students will not end up without any chances to talk with their classmates and teachers after entering the university.

During the first semester, we asked you to refrain from entering the campus as much as possible, but the library and Co-op are now open. Although we still ask you to refrain from unnecessary entry to the campus, you may make good use of the library taking proper infection control measures, and it's also great that you conduct extracurricular activities by following rules.

Niigata University Festival this year was held online though the festival is usually held on campus with a lot of crowds. The festival offered unique contents using the campus with adopting virtual reality applying the original ideas of our students. In order to succeed this festival, the festival committee showed excellent performance with implementing infection control measures, and this makes us realize that getting creative under these restrictions can lead to even more unexpected outcomes and discoveries.

As I mentioned a little in the beginning, it is still difficult to predict how the COVID-19 will spread in the future. The number of global COVID-19 cases in already over 40 million, the COVID-19 has been tearing though the United States and India, and an extremely big second wave has struck Europe. As a result, taking England as an example, the infection spread within many of the universities which had started the new semester in September, leading to self-quarantine of thousands of students as well as leading back to online classes. Most university students in England live in dormitories, where the infection is getting severe. Of course, we don't know whether such a big wave will strike Japan. Our future depends on how appropriately Japan can carry out economic activities taking thorough infection control measures. You don't need to fear more than necessary, but it is important for each one of you to be aware of sanitation.

As I said many times in my previous messages, if ever you have a problem about yourself or your family, and feel stressed out and anxiety in your daily life, please always talk to someone you trust. Talk to your family, friends, and of course, your academic advisors, or the staff of Student Affairs Office. Please feel free to contact "COVID-19 Emergency Student Support Desk." Remember, you are not alone, and don't take it all on yourself.

As rainy days cannot last forever, this COVID-19 crisis will eventually settle down. It may still take some time, but please take this moment as an opportunity to stop, take another look at many things and make it a fruitful time. And, please use the experiences under the COVID-19 crisis to motivate yourself to accumulate the strength to jump up to the world after the COVID-19. No matter how small it is, I would like you to find what you can do at this time and what you can only do at this time, challenge it, and use your time effectively. I believe that it will be the true strength of every one of you who lived in the corona era and will lead to the path to a new age. I sincerely hope that you will spend the second semester keeping in mind your dreams and passion for learning.

USHIKI Tatsuo, M.D., Ph.D.
President, Niigata University