April 07, 2026

2026 Spring Entrance Ceremony, President Address

2026 Spring Entrance Ceremony, President Address

　Congratulations on your admission. On behalf of the faculty and staff of SOKENDAI, I would like to warmly welcome you all.

　SOKENDAI is a graduate university established to train doctoral researchers in collaboration with national research institutes located across Japan. To date, we have sent more than 2,600 Ph.D. graduates out into the world. Today, as you begin your graduate studies with the goal of earning your doctorate, I imagine you are filled with a sense of excitement and fresh determination.

　Each of you has your own reason for choosing SOKENDAI, but many of you were likely drawn by the opportunity to pursue a degree in environments where cutting-edge research is actively conducted. One of the defining features of SOKENDAI is its graduate education centered on research work in institutes and museums. Another is its unique structure as the Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, encompassing four broad fields: cultural and social studies, mathematical and information science, physical sciences, and life sciences. I encourage you to take full advantage of these strengths, devote yourselves to your studies and research, acquire specialized knowledge and research skills, and achieve excellent results toward your degree.

　When you hear the phrase “excellent results,” you might feel that you must produce highly acclaimed academic achievements to earn your degree. Certainly, research at the graduate level requires originality, and your work should contribute new knowledge. However, what I believe matters even more is the process that leads to those results, and the wide range of experiences you gain along the way. When you complete your graduate studies a few years from now, the kind of researcher you will have become will depend on the experiences you have accumulated during your time here.

　We, as a university and as faculty and staff, are committed to supporting you in every way we can so that you can gain meaningful experiences and enjoy a fulfilling graduate life.

　Once again, congratulations on your admission!

April 7, 2026
Takashi Nagata, President
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI