2026年度4月東京科学大学 入学式 理事長祝辞

4月2日に大岡山キャンパスで挙行した2026年度4月 東京科学大学入学式の大竹理事長の祝辞は、以下のとおり英語で行われました。

Good morning, everyone.

The Science Tokyo community is pleased to welcome students, parents, family members, staff, and friends to the 2026 Spring Entrance Ceremony for bachelor’s program students. We are here to celebrate all the new students joining us today.

We want to acknowledge your guardians and families, and express our gratitude for the time and effort they have dedicated to your lives. Our appreciation also goes to Dr. Akiko Matsumoto from JAXA and other distinguished guests for their presence.

On this special day, we extend a warm welcome to the 1,461 students entering the bachelor's degree program, including the transfer students joining us from other institutions. I am sure all of you have been waiting eagerly for this day to come, and finally, it is here. Congratulations!

New students of Science Tokyo: I want to assure you that, starting from today, you are part of a diverse, inclusive community. We are all here to support you, regardless of the path that has brought you here.

Science Tokyo was established on October 1, 2024, following the integration between Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Institute of Technology. On January 23, 2026, Science Tokyo quickly reached a significant milestone when it was selected as a University for International Research Excellence by the government of Japan. Grounded in Science Tokyo's mission of “advancing science and human wellbeing to create value for and with society," the Institute’s scheme going forward aims to co-create a better life, a better society, and a better planet through the power of science.

I would like to thank you, the newest students of Science Tokyo, for writing the initial pages of the Institute's history as a University for International Research Excellence. I encourage you to dedicate yourselves to study and research in your chosen fields of science, engineering, medicine, dentistry, and healthcare, while remembering your original goals.

Science Tokyo possesses strong fundamental research capabilities. These strengths are demonstrated by Dr. Hideki Shirakawa’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2000 for overturning the belief that plastics do not conduct electricity, and Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2016 for elucidating the mechanism of autophagy.

Furthermore, in the 1970s, researchers at Science Tokyo’s predecessor developed an adhesive resin that enabled the transition from silver fillings to white composites in teeth. And in 2022, the Institute’s hospital admitted the highest number of severe Covid-19 patients in Tokyo. Building on these achievements, Science Tokyo continues to empower society through science.

In the 21st century, the world appears to be experiencing two remarkable changes. Firstly, while human beings still desire a convenient and comfortable life, there is a growing call to seek harmony with the Earth, and to achieve a productive yet agreeable coexistence with science and technology. This requires a greater understanding of society, including both people and the planet we inhabit. And secondly, the ways we use information continue to accelerate in various directions. This means that humans are increasingly conducting their activities in the virtual space, in addition to the physical world.

Science Tokyo and its Visionary Initiatives, which form a cross-disciplinary research and education framework, are expected to play an important role in these changes. To do so, we must embrace diversity as a primary source of creativity and expand our global reach to help solve problems that affect all of humankind. Issues such as carbon neutrality and emerging infectious diseases cannot be tackled by individual nations alone. Through multicultural, cross-border collaboration that views problems from varying spatial and temporal perspectives, we can share not only the weight of these challenges and the accountability of our actions, but also the fruits of our efforts when we realize a better, brighter future together.

Science Tokyo is a university dedicated to fostering a better and brighter life, society, and planet. From today, you are all important members of a courageous team that supports one another and devotes itself to realizing a vision and creating a better tomorrow.

Finally, I would like to share with you a quote from Joel A. Barker, a well-known futurist, author, and filmmaker.

“Vision without action is merely a dream.
Action without vision just passes the time.
Vision with action can change the world.”

As you begin your studies, I hope that you can courageously envision your own path and take concrete action to achieve your goals.

Once again, congratulations to you all. I warmly welcome you into this newly formed community of shared discovery and creation. 　　

Thank you very much.

Good afternoon, everyone.

The Science Tokyo community is pleased to welcome students, parents, family members, staff, and friends to the 2026 Spring Entrance Ceremony for master’s and doctoral program students. We are here to celebrate all the new students joining us today.

We want to acknowledge your guardians and families, and express our gratitude for the time and effort they have dedicated to your lives. Our appreciation also goes to Dr. Nobuhiro Endo of NEC Corporation and other distinguished guests for their presence.

On this special day, 1,847 students enter the master's degree program,25students enter the professional master's degree program, and 603students enter the doctoral degree program at Science Tokyo. I am sure all of you have been waiting eagerly for this day to come, and finally, it is here. Congratulations!

New students of Science Tokyo: I want to assure you that, starting from today, you are part of a diverse, inclusive community. We are all here to support you. Despite the difficult challenges that the world has faced in recent years, Science Tokyo is firmly committed to improving learning opportunities for students, now and in the future.

Science Tokyo was established on October 1, 2024, following the integration between Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Institute of Technology. On January 23, 2026, Science Tokyo quickly reached a significant milestone when it was selected as a University for International Research Excellence by the government of Japan. This triumph was the result of meticulous preparation and extensive discussion with all members of the Science Tokyo community, including students. Grounded in Science Tokyo's mission of “advancing science and human wellbeing to create value for and with society," the Institute’s scheme going forward aims to co-create a better life, a better society, and a better planet through the power of science.

I would like to thank you, the newest students of Science Tokyo, for writing the initial pages of the Institute's history as a University for International Research Excellence. I encourage you to dedicate yourselves to study and research in your chosen fields of science, engineering, medicine, dentistry, and healthcare, while remembering your original goals. I also encourage you to socialize with people from different fields to create new friendships and opportunities for collaboration.

In the 21st century, the world appears to be experiencing two remarkable changes. Firstly, while human beings still desire a convenient and comfortable life, there is a growing call to seek harmony with the Earth, and to achieve a productive yet agreeable coexistence with science and technology. This requires a greater understanding of society, including both people and the planet we inhabit. And secondly, the ways we use information continue to accelerate in various directions. This means that humans are increasingly conducting their activities in the virtual space, in addition to the physical world.

Science Tokyo and its Visionary Initiatives are expected to play an important role in these changes. To do so, we must embrace diversity as a primary source of creativity and expand our global reach to help solve problems that affect all of humankind.

I would like to share with you a quote from Joel A. Barker, a well-known futurist, author, and filmmaker.

“Vision without action is merely a dream.
Action without vision just passes the time.
Vision with action can change the world.”

At Science Tokyo, we, too, must envision goals like carbon neutrality and health and wellbeing for all, but also take concrete action to pool the power of science and realize these visions. Through multicultural, cross-border collaboration that views problems from varying spatial and temporal perspectives, we can share not only the weight of these challenges and the accountability of our actions, but also the fruits of our efforts when we realize a better, brighter future together.

Science Tokyo is a university dedicated to fostering a better and brighter life, society, and planet. From today, you are all important members of a courageous team that supports one another and devotes itself to realizing a vision and creating a better tomorrow.

Once again, congratulations to you all. I warmly welcome you into this newly formed community of shared discovery and creation. 　　　

Thank you very much.