With great expectations in their hearts, a total of 3,401 new undergraduate and graduate students took the first step in their campus lives at the Okayama University Matriculation Ceremony held in the gymnasium of the Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds (Jip Arena Okayama) on April 2.

In his speech to the new entrants, President Hirofumi Makino referred to Iwao Kokusho, the President of the forerunner of Okayama University, the pre-war Sixth High School, who committed himself to securing land for the establishment of Okayama University in the post-war era. President Makino said, “Firstly, I want you to make various kinds of challenges. Gaining experience by being unafraid of failure and by putting your best foot forward is the important characteristic of young people. By linking up with many of your colleagues and making efforts toward solving problems by pooling your wisdom and strength, you will undoubtedly discover ideas from viewpoints you had never thought of before and team dynamics that you have never experienced before. I very much hope you will live your university lives to the fullest extent along with your colleagues.” Representing the new entrants, the Faculty of Science student Ichiro Matsuba pledged, “At Okayama University, proud of its history and traditions, we will make efforts in the studies directly before us with a sincere attitude and endeavor to lead a fruitful student life working diligently at our studies to become people who are able to make contributions to society.”