HU welcomes new students at 2022 Entrance Ceremony

Hiroshima University held its 2022 Entrance Ceremony on Sunday, April 3, welcoming a total of 3,933 new students.

Under fine weather, the entrance ceremony was held in two parts. The one for new undergraduate and advanced course students was conducted in the morning at the Higashi-Hiroshima Sports Park. The one for new graduate students was held in the afternoon at the Satake Memorial Hall, Higashi-Hiroshima Campus. The ceremony was also live-streamed on YouTube.

In his speech, HU President Ochi set his expectations for the new students.

“I hope that you will spread your wings as ‘peace-pursuing, cultured individuals with an international mindset and a challenging spirit,’ by developing the habit of thinking carefully, not only about the ‘hows’ (i.e. in what way) but also the ‘whys’ (i.e. reasons behind) of things,” he said.

President Ochi also commented on the Impact Ranking 2021, which evaluates the social contribution capabilities within the framework of the SDGs.

“Hiroshima University was ranked in the top 100 in the world in five categories of the 17 SDGs. Needless to say, it is ranked among the best universities in Japan,” he said.

"Hiroshima University has a long history and a privileged environment that has been nurtured over many years. Therefore, I hope that you will take great pride in studying at Hiroshima University."

After the undergraduate entrance ceremony, three video messages to the new students were presented by comedian Takushi Tanaka (a graduate of the School of Engineering), Japan national soccer team coach Hajime Moriyasu, and non-fiction writer Keiko Horikawa (a graduate of the School of Integrated Arts and Sciences).

Each ceremony was followed by a mini-concert by Michie Nakamaru, a world-renowned opera singer and visiting professor at Hiroshima University.

This year, a total of 3,933 students (2,503 undergraduate and advanced course students and 1,430 graduate students) embarked on their university life at Hiroshima University.