Kenichi Iga
President, Tokyo Institute of Technology
(September 26, 2011)

It is my great pleasure to hold the 2011 Fall Graduation Ceremony of Tokyo Institute of Technology, or Tokodai, in presence of Executive Faculty Staff Members and Deans. I am delighted to express my sincere congratulations on your successful completion of the courses in the Undergraduate and Graduate Schools. On this occasion, doctoral degrees have been conferred on 100 students, master’s degrees on 124, professional master’s degrees on 14 and bachelor’s degrees on 48. In total, 8,587 doctoral degrees, 42,965 master’s degrees and 171 professional master’s degrees have been conferred since 1955. And 55,640 bachelor’s degrees have been presented since 1929.

Nearly six months have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11 .　We have verified the safety and well-being of all of our 10,232 students. Although there were no deceased or injured students, families of 50 students are facing financial difficulties as a result. We are doing our utmost to provide mental and physical support. Once again to those who were affected, my thoughts are with you.

In response to the disaster, Tokodai established a “Task Force for the Great East Japan Earthquake” with the aim of the maintaining sound University operations. Furthermore, concerning the fears of the spread of radiation related to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, we established a “Radiation Countermeasures Office” and held lectures on radiation for the members of the University and community.

In retrospect, 88 years ago in 1923, Tokyo Institute of Technology fell victim to the Great Kanto Earthquake at its original location in Kuramae, and was consequently moved to Ookayama the following year. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in March, many of our alumni are actively engaging in recovery efforts in disaster-stricken areas. Our faculty members, staff and students will also play a significant role in the future efforts. Coupled with our endeavors to support afflicted people and save energy, Tokodai continues to contribute to Japan’s recovery efforts by making the most of our strength as a leading university in the field of science and technology.

The mission of Tokodai is to cultivate solid base for the advancement of science and technology and to foster creative experts with the ability to integrate and unify diverse knowledge to respond to social needs. Our Institute is highly appreciated by the international community. In the QS World University Rankings in 2011, our Institute is rated 57th in the overall ranking and 4th among Japanese universities, and in technology, rated 20th overall and 3rd in Japan.

Now I would like to introduce some of the remarkable recent activities of recent Tokodai. The most notable achivement in information science is the progress of “TSUBAME 2.0”, one of the fastest-class supercomputers in the world. We have obtained the Greenest Super-computer Award this year.

In international collaboration, the International Graduate Program has been launched and about 200 international students from all over the world has been accepted every academic year. Secondly, the Joint Graduate Course Program with Tsinghua University in China has been successfully extended to doctoral program. We have also promoted the cooperation with university courses in Thailand, the Philippines, and Egypt.

Established as a professional engineering school in 1881, Tokodai will celebrate the 130th anniversary in this October. Our close alumni network centered on Kuramae Kogyokai is one of our main strengths. Having over 100,000 graduates in the world, Tokodai has greatly contributed to global industry. Our Institute is supported by a great number of excellent graduates who actively engage in various fields.

It will be a great opportunity for us to demonstrate our strength to society, industry and the international community through various exciting projects. As a joint project with Kuramae Kogyokai, this alumini building was constructed and opened in 2008 as a “front” runner of science and technology. Thinking of 130th Anniversary, we are considering three innovative challenges in Education, Research and Contribution. I do strongly hope that you could watch the future progress of Tokodai through the Tokodai 130 event as one of our graduates.

Finally, I wish to reiterate my hearty congratulations to all of you and do hope every success in your future endeavors.

Thank you very much for your attention and congratulations.