President Message to New Students

President Yoichi Kawanami and his address (Full text)

　Congratulations to the 498 new students who have enrolled at Shimonoseki City University. This year, TUFS was able to welcome 465 students in the bachelor's program, 12 international students, 18 transfer students, and 3 new students in the graduate school master's program. I would like to express my heartfelt welcome to all of you who have entered the university with hope.

　I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to the parents of new students and their families. In the process of studying for the long examination so far, it seems that there were various difficulties such as not progressing well, worrying about the course, and getting sick, but this time it was sunny and going through the gate of the university I have no choice but to congratulate you. We would like to pay tribute to the physical and mental support so far, and we hope that you will be able to watch the growth of your son and daughter with a warm gaze while leaving a little behind in the future. This college student, who is in his late teens and early twenties, is a process of independence in which humans acquire various knowledge, gain various experiences, and grow while encountering many people and books. We, university officials, want to do their utmost to be a reliable educational institution in the process of growing up as an independent person while confronting various difficulties.

　We are very sorry and sorry that we had to cancel this year's entrance ceremony due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection, which is raging not only in Japan but also worldwide in welcoming new students. The entrance ceremony is a necessary opportunity for students with aspirations for more advanced academic disciplines to make a new start on the stage of university education, but we had to make tough decisions in order to avoid the risk of the spread of infectious diseases caused by gathering as many people as possible. It's really my heart. We had to change the schedule for orientation, health examinations, placement tests, various briefings, and class start scheduled after the cancellation of the entrance ceremony, but as a university, we will take measures to prevent any problems with education as much as possible.

　From now on, I would like to share one important thing for students to study as university students at our university. It is an independent learning that strives to acquire a wide range of knowledge independently, thinks with your own head, expresses that idea in your own words, is responsible for your own assertions and actions, and grows as an independent person. It is to acquire an attitude of learning.
　At present, higher education in our country is at a major turning point. In the report of the Central Council for Education published in November 2019, "Grand Design of Higher Education for 2040," it states that the shift from supplier's perspective education to academic Osamu-oriented education. Looking ahead to 2040, 20 years from now, when rapid and complex changes are required, this is an important report that proposes what kind of human resources need to be developed in the current higher education. As modern society becomes more complex, diversified, and individualized, the uncertainty and unpredictability of the world increase, and the independent learning of students is becoming increasingly important in order to cultivate the ability of young people to independently promote learning Osamu. Specifically, the following is emphasized as the image of human resources required in 2040.
In other words
・Basic and universal knowledge and understanding, and general-purpose skills.
・You can use that knowledge and skills.
・We have communication skills, including overcoming the dilemma,
・Human resources who can act autonomously and responsiblely
That's right. It is emphasized that in order to develop such human resources, it is necessary to shift from the viewpoint of "what we taught" in higher education, but from the viewpoint of "what we were able to learn and acquire". It can be said that by integrating Osamu-oriented education and the independent learning of the students, it will be possible to develop human resources who are truly needed in the future society. The university will respond while recognizing students as an adult, so in response, you will work hard to learn, act, and take responsibility on your own initiative. It is up to you to.

　If you are enrolled in a graduate school master's program, please keep in mind that advanced and specialized knowledge will become increasingly necessary in a more complex society, and strive to acquire an independent spirit and independent inquisitive mind that surpasses the bachelor's program. I look forward to your great study with the aim of completing an excellent master's thesis with the ultimate level of expertise at the time of completion of the course.

　Finally, we hope that your university life will be fruitful and rich, and we will celebrate the entrance ceremony of Shimonoseki City University in 2020.

April 6, 2020　　　　　　　　
KAWANAMI Yoichi President, Shimonoseki City University