Congratulations on your admission to the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.

I am sure you are all looking forward to studying and researching in this new environment and to starting a new academic life.

As a student at TUMSAT, you will meet unique professors and spend your days studying and researching together with your new friends. And when you graduate, you will be part of a group of talented researchers and engineers with the deepest understanding of the ocean. 

For those of you who may be feeling uncertain about how to begin this new chapter in your lives, allow me to offer some advice. There are three things I would encourage you to keep in mind during your time at TUMSAT:

?Pursue your interests
?Identify problems in your study or research
?Communicate with a diverse range of people

By practicing these principles, not only will your campus life be enriched, but you will also develop into individuals capable of addressing the complex challenges of today's world. This is not merely a wish for your personal success; it is my hope that you will grow into the core human resources needed to solve the pressing issues facing society.

The Summit of the Future, held during the UN General Assembly last week, has underscored the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while also addressing the impacts of ongoing conflicts and global health crises.

I hope you will approach these global challenges with knowledge, insight, and responsibility. Let your time here serve as a foundation for the important work you will do in the future.

Of course, the purpose of your studies and research at TUMSAT may not be directly related to such global issues, and it is not necessary for all of you to take on global challenges. However, please remember that comprehensive solutions to major problems do not suddenly appear out of nowhere. In most cases, such solutions come from basic research conducted over long periods of time. At the same time, it is important to understand that complex global issues cannot be solved by a single expert but must be achieved through the collaboration of experts from various fields. In this sense, you are all involved in global issues in some way, and I am confident that your serious research and study will be indispensable to humanity in the future.

Starting from today, you will acquire a variety of knowledge, skills, and background in your respective specialized fields. Please remember the three things I mentioned. Pursue your interests. If you have a difficult problem you want to solve, communicate not only with your friends, but also with a diverse range of people with the same awareness, regardless of their field of expertise, nationality, or gender. I believe that the accumulation of such actions is the beginning of the path to becoming human resources that will support the future . Please also keep in mind that you are expected to become such a person.

Finally, interesting study and research await you. Your rigorous efforts will give you the mindset, foresight and imagination of an excellent researcher and engineer. I hope that your time here as a student is both fruitful and enjoyable.

October 4, 2024
President, TUMSAT
Iseki Toshio