風薫る佳節を迎えました。環境省の「自然共生サイト」に認定された東広島キャンパスには、新緑の梢より野鳥の囀りが響き、生命の息吹が感じられます。このキャンパスは、新たな知の象徴的拠点の相次ぐ誕生に、静謐ながらも大きな期待に包まれています。今春開設されたイノベーション創出拠点「Science Knot（サイエンス ノット）」棟、そして本年8月に開校する米国アイダホ大学広島キャンパスが、その双璧を成しております。

　サイエンス ノット棟は、文部科学省「地域中核・特色ある研究大学強化促進事業（J-PEAKS）」の重点拠点と世界トップレベル研究拠点「WPI-SKCM²（超物質拠点）」との一体化により、産学官の英知が交差する共同研究施設であり、知の融合の象徴であります。100人を超える研究者が一堂に会し、学問の境界を超えて研鑽を積むこの空間には、多様な科学分野の知を堅く結び、新たな価値を紡ぎ出す「結び目（knot）」たらんとする強い願いが込められています。

　一方、アイダホ大学広島キャンパスは、半導体分野における国際的人材の育成を掲げ、全課程を英語で履修する学士課程プログラムを始動させます。

　本学とアイダホ大学との交流は、今を遡ること75年、戦後復興の揺籃期に端を発します。初代学長・森戸辰男氏が発信した復興支援への請願に同大学がいち早く応え、樹木の苗や種子、図書を寄贈されたあの日より、両大学の絆は被爆瓦の寄贈や学生交流を通じ、連綿と受け継がれてまいりました。

　また、広島市内の霞キャンパスにおいては、大学初となるワクチン・医薬品製造拠点や、放射線影響研究所と合築する新棟が、その威容を現しつつあります。さらに、本学発祥の地たる東千田キャンパスでは、被爆遺構である旧理学部1号館の保存・再整備を通じ、新たな平和教育・研究機関の創設を広島市と進めています。

　焦土の中より出発した広島大学は、今や国立大学最多の12学部、4研究科・1研究院を擁する、中四国を代表する我が国屈指の総合研究大学へと飛躍を遂げました。99カ国・地域から集う約2,000人の留学生を含む、1万5,000人を超える学生が切磋琢磨し、25万人を超える同窓生が世界の諸分野で指導的役割を果たしております。この歩みは、先人の不断の献身と努力の結晶であり、ここに改めて深甚なる敬意を捧げます。

　混迷を極める現代、ウクライナや中東の地では戦火が絶えず、世界は深い闇の中にあります。こうした時局だからこそ、「平和の大学」を標榜する本学が担うべき責務は、かつてないほどに重いと言わざるを得ません。

　私は学長就任以来、一貫して「平和を希求し、チャレンジする国際的教養人の育成」を旗印に掲げ、不退転の決意で邁進してまいりました。このような理念を持つ大学は、世界広しといえども、広島大学以外にはありません。世界最初の被爆地に根を下ろした本学の、人類史的使命を厳粛に継承し、希望に満ちた未来を切り拓くべく、さらなる歩みを進めてまいる所存です。

　We have entered the beautiful season of fragrant breezes. At the Higashi-Hiroshima Campus—designated by Japan’s Ministry of theEnvironment as a “Nature Coexistence Site”—the birdsong echoes from the fresh green treetops, evoking a vivid sense of life’s renewal.Amid this tranquil setting, the campus is quietly yet unmistakably filled with anticipation, as new symbolic hubs of knowledge continue totake shape. Standing at the forefront are two landmark developments: the “Science Knot” building, an innovation hub launched thisspring, and the University of Idaho’s Hiroshima Campus, set to open this August.

　The Science Knot building represents a powerful embodiment of the convergence of knowledge. It integrates the world-leading researchcenter WPI-SKCM² (World Premier International Research Center for Sustainability through Knotted Chiral Meta Matter – i.e. Super), with a collaborative research facility. This is a core hub under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology’s J-PEAKS program, where the wisdom of industry, academia, and government intersects. More than one hundredresearchers gather in this space, transcending disciplinary boundaries in pursuit of academic excellence. The name “Knot” reflects ashared aspiration: to firmly interconnect diverse strands of scientific knowledge and weave them into new value.

　Meanwhile, the University of Idaho’s Hiroshima Campus will launch a bachelor’s degree program conducted entirely in English, with afocus on cultivating globally minded talent in the field of semiconductors.

　The partnership between our two universities dates back 75 years to the early days of our postwar reconstruction. In response to arequest for support issued by our first president, Tatsuo Morito, the University of Idaho promptly extended its assistance, donating treesaplings, seeds, and books. Since that time, the bond between our institutions has been carefully nurtured through ongoing exchanges—including student exchange programs, and even the sharing of roof tiles from buildings damaged by the atomic bombing.

　At the Kasumi Campus in Hiroshima City, construction is also progressing steadily on a vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturingcenter—the first of its kind among universities in Japan—as well as on a new building jointly developed by HU and the Radiation EffectsResearch Foundation. Furthermore, at the Higashi-Senda Campus, the birthplace of Hiroshima University, we are working incollaboration with the City of Hiroshima to preserve and redevelop the former Faculty of Science Building No. 1, an importantatomic-bombed structure, as the foundation for a new center dedicated to peace education and research.

　Rising from the ashes of devastation, Hiroshima University has grown into one of Japan’s leading comprehensive research universities,now comprising 12 schools and 4 graduate schools, along with one research institute—the largest number among national universities inJapan. Our community includes more than 15,000 students, among them approximately 2,000 international students from 99 countriesand regions, who engage in rigorous academic pursuits. Our alumni network, exceeding 250,000 individuals, plays leading roles acrossdiverse fields worldwide. This remarkable journey stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of those whocame before us, to whom we express our deepest respect and gratitude.

　In today’s world, marked by profound uncertainty, armed conflicts continue unabated in regions such as Ukraine and the Middle East,casting a deep shadow over the global community. In such times, the responsibility borne by Hiroshima University—an institution thatupholds the ideal of being a “University of Peace”—is heavier than ever before.

　Since assuming the presidency, I have consistently upheld the guiding principle of “cultivating peace-pursuing individuals with aninternational mindset and a challenging spirit,” and have advanced with unwavering determination. Rooted in the world’s firstatomic-bombed city, our university solemnly inherits a mission of profound significance in human history. With this responsibility firmlyin mind, we are committed to forging ahead and opening new pathways toward a future filled with hope.