Makoto MIYATANI
Executive Vice President (Education), Hiroshima University

Congratulations to all of you who are graduating and completing.

Over the past year, due to the effects of the COVID-19, classes and research cannot be the same as before, and I think it was a lot of work. Even under such circumstances, I think that the experience of making efforts toward graduation and completion without giving up will be a great source of food for your future life.

Hiroshima University was able to proceed vigorously without stopping its educational and research activities through various trials and errors. This is undeniably the result of the efforts of each and every one of you, and we would like to express our sincere gratitude.

The Commencement Ceremony, which will be held on Tuesday March 23, will be a major milestone in life for all graduates, and I think they are looking forward to it. Unfortunately, the ceremony was held only for subcontractors last year, but this year we plan to divide the venue between undergraduate and advanced course students, and graduate students, and take sufficient measures to prevent infection. As a university, we would like everyone to participate in the ceremony and think about their university life so far.

Currently, the spread of COVID-19 is somewhat calm, but the situation remains unpredictable. We ask students to make careful decisions about domestic travel, and especially when traveling to and from areas subject to a state of emergency, a total of 15 days of staying at home, including the date of travel, is required. However, in view of the importance of the Commencement Ceremony, for graduates, after thoroughly implementing the following infection prevention measures, the diploma at the ceremony and subsequent faculties and graduate schools, etc. participation in the awarding event is permitted.

• Please thoroughly observe the health you are currently requesting from 14 days before the ceremony day.
• If you have a cold symptom such as fever or fatigue on the day of the event, do not attend the ceremony and immediately consult with your doctor or other medical institution or consultation center (health center).
• Be sure to wear a mask while moving to or around the venue.
• Please refrain from contact and conversation with others as much as possible.
• Every time you enter or leave the venue, be sure to disinfect your hands with the alcohol disinfectant installed in the surrounding area.
• After the ceremony, please move from the venue promptly to avoid congestion.
• Please refrain participating in events, large numbers of people, welcome and farewell parties, parties, etc., where basic infection prevention measures are not thoroughly implemented, spontaneously crowded with an unspecified number of people, and accompanied by loud voices, etc.

I think that you are trying to manage your physical condition on a daily basis, but once again, please pay the utmost attention and make this sunny day a good memory. At the same time, I would like to ask you to be aware that you are a "Hiroshima University student" until the end and to act as a model for current students.