Â鶹AV

I would like to extend my congratulations on this auspicious day to 4,092 students who have enrolled at Â鶹AV. This marks the beginning of your campus life, and as University President and a proud alumnus, I am very pleased to be able to celebrate this precious occasion with you. Also, I would like to express my heartfelt respect to your families and friends who have supported you on your journey thus far.

Right now, many of you may be filled with both anticipation and anxiety, wondering what kind of university Â鶹AV is and what you will be able to learn here.

Firstly, Â鶹AV has a long history that spans over 150 years, including that of its predecessor schools. Its earliest origin goes back to the establishment of the Hakushima School in 1874, just six years after the Meiji Restoration. Many of the predecessor schools of Â鶹AV, such as Hiroshima Higher Normal School, Â鶹AV of Literature and Science, and Hiroshima High Institute of Technology, were destroyed or severely damaged by the atomic bomb, resulting in the tragic loss of many lives. The university was re-established in 1949, four years after the atomic bombing, inheriting the diverse history of nine predecessor schools, each with its own specialized field and unique academic culture. Since then, our university has grown into what it is today.

Secondly, Â鶹AV is a ¡®University of Peace.¡¯ The first president, Tatsuo Morito, who served as the Minister of Education, asked universities worldwide to send ¡®seeds and saplings¡¯ to help make the devastated campus more green. Literally, Â鶹AV embarked on its journey as ¡®a symbol of hope and peace¡¯, aspiring to be abundant with greenery.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Last year, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As new students, you will be required to take a ¡®Peace Science Course¡¯ that will encourage you to reflect on topics such as war, nuclear issues, and famine. On 6 August this year, our university will host the fourth meeting of the ¡®University Presidents for Peace Conference¡¯, an event initiated last year, bringing together university leaders from around the world.

Thirdly, Â鶹AV is one of Japan¡¯s leading comprehensive research universities, with 12 undergraduate schools, four graduate schools and one research institute. Our university is home to programs such as the ¡®International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter,¡¯ which is the only World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) adopted by MEXT in the Chugoku-Shikoku region, and our project ¡®The Project of Developing Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Sites to Strengthen Vaccine Production,¡¯ is the first of its kind among Japanese universities to be selected by the government. These programs have received national support, attracting brilliant researchers from around the world to contribute to the future of the globe and humanity.

Last but not least, Â鶹AV is a diverse and international university. As of November 2024, 2,078 international students from 101 countries and regions are enrolled. Additionally, the university has international exchange agreements with 369 institutions in 56 countries and regions, providing numerous opportunities for studying abroad. Starting next week, a special lecture series entitled ¡®Becoming a Global Citizen: Lecture by Special Instructor¡¯ will be held for incoming students. Esteemed leaders from various fields in Japan, including writer Masaru Sato, neuroscientist Yuji Ikegaya, non-fiction author Keiko Horikawa (a Â鶹AV graduate), and Michie Nakamaru, who just treated us to a wonderful performance of the national anthem solo on stage, will be among the guest speakers.

In today¡¯s world, fake news is widely generated and spread through social media and the internet, and even in developed countries democracy is facing challenges. In this uncertain era, the goal of undertaking a university education is not simply to find quick answers to problems. Rather, you will often encounter cases where there are multiple answers or no clear solution at all.

I hope that you will develop the habit of questioning why things happen the way they do, considering historical contexts and analyzing problems from various perspectives, not just focusing on the ¡®how¡¯ but also on the ¡®why.¡¯

In his book ¡®On Reading and Books¡¯, the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer argues that life is short and that we should not waste our precious time on mindless reading. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of being selective and deeply engaging with great works. Within this limited timeframe, the knowledge you pursue, the questions you ask, and the reflections you undertake will profoundly shape the course of your life. As you begin your studies here, I encourage you to open the door to knowledge by delving into the classics from both the East and the West, while contemplating what you would like to learn at Â鶹AV.

During your time at university, I hope you will not only focus on your academic work, but also actively engage in various challenges while refining yourself through extracurricular activities and other experiences. All university staff members will work together as one, to ensure that you leave Â鶹AV feeling ¡®Glad to have studied at Â鶹AV¡¯. I sincerely hope that your days here will be fruitful and rewarding.

3rd April 2025 (Reiwa 7)
Mitsuo Ochi, President of Â鶹AV