The Kobe University Academic Degree Conferment Ceremony for the 2009 academic year was held on March 25 at the Kobe World Memorial Hall in Chuo-ku, Kobe. In spite of bad weather, the hall was filled with soon to be graduates dressed in colorful Japanese kimono and suits as well as academic staff and parents who came to witness the ceremony.
2673 undergraduates, 1242 graduates from the Master's Degree Programs, Former Period of Doctoral Degree Programs and Professional Degree Programs were conferred Masters' Degrees. The Doctoral Degree Conferment Ceremony was held separately at the Kobe University IDEMITSU SAZO Memorial Rokkodai Auditorium on March 24. This ceremony conferred 228 degrees to course-work doctors and 31 degrees to dissertation doctors.
In his congratulatory speech, President FUKUDA Hideki pointed out that there are both positive and negative effects to rapid development and changes in scientific technology. He said it was necessary to concentrate the wisdom of researchers from all academic fields to rectify these negative effects. He then encouraged them with the following words, "I want all of you to have confidence in yourselves. As students of Kobe University, you have all acquired the creative ability to overcome difficult problems. It is my sincere hope that you take this ability and use it for the benefit of the society". Representing the undergraduates,Ms. TAJI Tomoe from the School of Medicine, delivered an address on their behalf. In her speech, which touched on her experience as a trainee at the University Hospital and a member of the university's volleyball club, she told the audience that she was very grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow at Kobe University. Mr. INADA Shinichi of the Graduate School of Medicine, representing all graduate school students, gave the next speech. He said, "The speech I heard at the 2008 Entrance Ceremony, delivered by Dr. YAMANAKA Shinya*, gave me strength to overcome obstacles".
The ceremony concluded with the Mixed Chorus Clubs, "Apollon" and "Erde", singing the Kobe University Song, accompanied by the Kobe University Symphony Orchestra, followed by a rooter's song and cheers for all the graduates by the university cheering squad. A beautiful array of umbrellas, held by the graduating class members and their well-wishers, could be seen outside the Memorial Hall for quite sometimes after the ceremony.
*Dr. YAMANAKA Shinya, a graduate of Kobe University, is known for his study of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
