Fall 2024 Entrance and Graduation Ceremonies Held at Kyoto Uzumasa Campus

On Wednesday, September 4, the 2024 Entrance Ceremony for the Faculty of Engineering and the Graduate School of Engineering was held at Mirai Hall. A total of 163 students, including 142 undergraduate students and 21 graduate students from approximately 30 countries, were welcomed to KUAS. The ceremony, conducted in English, featured a vibrant display of multiculturalism, with some students donning their country’s traditional attire. Many parents and guardians attended the event, making for a truly international occasion. The ceremony was also streamed online for students unable to attend in person. 

In his address to the new students, President Masafumi Maeda emphasized the university’s potential, stating, “Kyoto University of Advanced Science may be a relatively small institution, with about 4,000 students, 200 full-time faculty members, and 300 part-time lecturers, but we are vibrant and full of potential. As you start your studies here in Kyoto, Japan, you might feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Rest assured, you have made a wonderful choice, and the experiences you gather over the next four years will be invaluable.” 

Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Osamu Tabata, introduced the faculty’s slogan, “Be a Street-Smart Global Engineer!” He highlighted the importance of studying engineering, remarking, “Engineering is the academic field that generates new solutions to realize a better life using technology. Please look around the world, many people are suffering and facing difficulties. The important first step is to find such a person and think about the problem together with sympathy and empathy.” 

Takanori Yoda, a second-year student from the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Systems Engineering, welcomed the new cohort, stating, “You will find that our campus is home to people from many different countries. Interacting with people from diverse linguistic, cultural and religious backgrounds has broadened my perspective. Our university is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities, allowing you to pursue any projects you have in mind. Our professors, teaching assistants, campus staff and your fellow students are all here to support you. I hope you have a wonderful and fulfilling university experience at KUAS.” Freshman representative, Myanganmedmed Nasanjargal from Mongolia, expressed his excitement, stating, “I believe we are all dreamers who share the same passion for science and engineering. I am eager to meet you all, and it feels awesome to finally see my classmates.” 

The ceremony concluded successfully, marking the start of a new academic chapter for KUAS. 

On the morning of the same day, the 2024 Spring Semester Graduation Ceremony and Degree Conferral Ceremony took place at Mirai Hall of Kyoto Uzumasa Campus. A total of 56 students were honored, including 44 undergraduate students (25 from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, 9 from the Faculty of Humanities, 3 from the Faculty of Bioenvironmental Science, 3 from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, and 4 from the Faculty of Engineering), as well as 12 graduate students who enrolled in the Graduate School of Engineering in 2021 (Doctoral Program: 9 students in their first semester, 3 students in their second semester). These students have now embarked on the next phase of their lives as they transition into society. 

President Masafumi Maeda presented diplomas to the graduates, offering words of encouragement: “Fear not; forge your path with confidence and courage. I sincerely hope that you will become the leaders of a new era and make significant contributions to our world. You are the future, and the future is yours to make.” He concluded by reaffirming KUAS as a lifelong support system for graduates, stating, “If ever you feel lost, remember that our university is always here for you. The faculty and staff will always support you and walk alongside you on your journey.” 

Dean Osamu Tabata’s Entrance Ceremony Address

“Congratulations on your acceptance and welcome to the Faculty of Engineering and Graduate School of Engineering at Kyoto University of Advanced Science, KUAS.
I’d like to say a few words on behalf of all the engineering faculty and staff.
Some of you may have been influenced by Typhoon No. 10 when you came to Kyoto, Japan. Finally, you are here. You made it! It should be a good memory in the future as the first step to overcoming problems encountered in your new journey.
Today, we welcome in total 164 international students from over 30 countries, around the world. Including you, the total number of undergraduate engineering students is 646. Among them, 56 % are international students from 45 different countries. The total number of Graduate engineering students is 60. Among them, 68 % are international students. Now, you understand how our student cohort is multicultural. Different cultures, different languages, and different ways of thinking are here. This diverse multicultural environment is our strength. I am sure that it will be an invaluable experience for you and you will benefit from it.
Now, let me ask one question? Do you know the slogan of our engineering school? It is “Be a street-smart global engineer!”. The word street means the real experience of real society. Street-Smart means a person who can solve real-world problems in real situations. If the knowledge one needs to solve a problem is missing, acquire it by oneself. So, street-smart people can learn and grow by solving the real-world problem. The counter expression with the street-smart is a book smart. A book smart person is a person who acquires a lot of knowledge from books. I would not intend to say which one is better.
Let’s think about the recent advancement of the generative AI. AI can surf the internet, acquire knowledge automatically, and save it in storage. AI can work 24 hours per day. Humans need rest. AI does not forget the knowledge. But humans do. I promise, by tomorrow, you will forget what I am saying now.
Let me ask one more question. Do you think you can compete with AI? Do you aim to be a book smart and compete with AI? I think it is not a good idea.
From now on, the importance of the street-smart person will increase more and more.
You will be trained to be a street-smart engineer from today on this campus.
Today, I give you one more important thing that AI cannot do. It is a sympathy and empathy. Engineering is the academic field that generates new solutions to realize a better life using technology. Please look around the world, many people are suffering and facing difficulties. The important first step is to find such a person and think about the problem together with sympathy and empathy.
Of course, physics, mathematics, information literacy, etc are important bases of your engineering life. Without a solid base of those subjects, you cannot build up your engineering competence to lead you to your destination.
Today, at the beginning of your university life, I would like to ask you to try always to have sympathy and empathy in your mind. Then, build up your competence on a solid engineering base by further learning wisdom, knowledge, technology, theory, and so on. No need to rush, please move forward slowly but steadily.
We, the faculty, and staff of engineering are always very happy to provide the best guidance to you.
Last, but not least, I want you to interact with many attractive Japanese people around you, and enjoy the culturally rich environment of Kyoto during your university life.
It is time for you to show your strengths and abilities. It is time for you to show the power of engineering.
Your future is here, and you are the future. Be a street-smart global engineer!
I wish you all the best of luck! Congratulations!”

 (International Admissions Office)