Hiroshima University held its 2021 Commencement Ceremony at the Higashi-Hiroshima Sports Park on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.

To halt the spread of COVID-19, only graduating students participated in the ceremony. The event was live-streamed on YouTube.

Following the ceremony — and for the first time — HU President Mitsuo Ochi personally conferred diplomas to each doctoral degree recipient.

In the afternoon, each School organized a diploma-awarding ceremony for the 3,629 new graduates (2,385 undergraduate students and 1,244 graduate students) — of which 283 were international students.

In his speech, President Ochi referred to the latest issue of the president's message protesting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and calling for a peaceful solution to the conflict as a university pursuing peace. "It is my sincere hope that you will also be close to the hearts of those who have been caught in the crossfire of war, and that you will consider what you can do for peace and act accordingly," said President Ochi.

"Furthermore, instead of settling for the status quo, take on the challenge of reaching for higher goals. I hope that some of you will go on to become leaders in Japan or overseas."

Zhang Bei — the international students' representative — from the Graduate School of Letters (majoring in humanities) offered a speech congratulating all fellow graduates and sharing her experience as a Chinese international student at HU.

"I am deeply grateful to my family, professors, seniors, and juniors at Hiroshima University who supported me until my graduation. I am confident that we, the graduates and alumni, who have overcome numerous difficulties to come this far, will make even greater strides and achieve glory," said Zhang.

President's full Ceremonial Speech (English)

*Photos of the Commencement Ceremony will be released on HU's website and official social media.
*Masks were removed only for the photoshoot.