2025 New Year Message from the President

As we usher in the new year, I wish to extend my most respectful greetings to all.

Reflecting on the past year, I cannot help but feel that it began as a symbol of a year fraught with difficulties, marked by events such as the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year's Day and the fire at Haneda Airport on the second day of the year. Since then, numerous incidents have threatened people's lives, including heavy rain disasters across various regions and the issuance of a warning regarding the Nankai Trough mega-earthquake. I would like to once again express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in these disasters and convey my sincere sympathy to all those affected.

Turning to the global stage, I believe I am not alone in sensing an unsettling shift in the trajectory of human society. The prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, the ongoing violence in Gaza, which has resulted in over 40,000 deaths, unstable political situations in various countries, and the energy crisis, all point to increasingly concerning developments.

In the world of academia, too, it was a year in which we felt the change in trends. The Nobel Prizes announced in October were awarded to two researchers for their development of the methods that form the basis of artificial intelligence with the Physics Prize, and to three researchers for their work in protein design and structural prediction using computers and AI with the Chemistry Prize. These awards serve as a clear indication of the future direction of academia—one that transcends traditional academic boundaries and research methodologies. At the same time, they prompt us to imagine a future society where artificial intelligence and generative AI are deeply integrated into not only academic endeavors but also broader human activities and thought.

It is precisely because we find ourselves in such an era that we are acutely aware of the critical importance of each individual "thinking for themselves." In a world marked by escalating conflicts and frequent natural disasters, we are compelled to feel that humanity's ability to think is being tested in how we can guide the world towards a better direction.

In these increasingly challenging times, SOKENDAI will always consider where we should be headed and what we should do. We will continue to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to the mission of the university, engaging in sincere discussions with those inside and outside the university. I sincerely hope for your continued warm support in the year ahead.