President message to new students

President Yoichi Kawanami (Full text)

　Congratulations to all the 498 new students who have entered Shimonoseki City University. This year, TUFS was able to welcome 465 undergraduate students, 12 international students, 18 transfer students, and 3 new students to the master's program. I would like to express my heartfelt welcome to all of you who have entered the university with hope.

　I would like to express my sincere congratulations to the parents of new students and their families. It seems that there were various difficulties during the long course of studying for the exam so far, such as not going well, worrying about the course, and getting sick, but this time, it was clear that I was going through the gate of the university I have no choice but to thank you very much. We would like to pay tribute to the support of both physical and mental aspects so far, and we hope that you will be able to watch the growth of your son and daughter with a warm gaze while keeping a little out. This college student, from the late teenage to early twenties, is a process of independence in which humans acquire various knowledge, gain various experiences, and grow while encountering many people and books. We, our university staff, would like to do our best as a reliable educational institution in the process of growing up as an independent person while confronting various difficulties.

　I am very sorry and sorry that we had to cancel this year's entrance ceremony due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection, which is rampant not only in Japan but also worldwide when welcoming new students. The entrance ceremony is a necessary opportunity for students who are more admired and motivated to learn more advanced academics to make a new start on the stage of university education, but in order to avoid the risk of the spread of infectious diseases caused by the gathering of many people, we had to make bitter decisions as much as possible. It's a great feeling. We have had to change the schedule for orientation, health examinations, placement tests, various briefings, and class start, which were scheduled after the cancellation of the entrance ceremony, but as a university, we will take measures to prevent any problems in education as much as possible.

　From now on, I would like to tell you one important thing for students to study as university students at our university. It is independent to try to acquire a wide range of knowledge independently, think with your own head, express that idea in your own words, take responsibility for your assertions and actions, and grow as an independent person. It is to acquire the attitude of learning.
　At present, higher education in Japan is at a major turning point. In the report of the Central Council for Education published in November 2019, "Grand Design for Higher Education for 2040," a shift from a supplier's perspective to a learning-oriented education is declared. I am. Looking ahead to 2040, 20 years ahead, when rapid and complex changes are required, this is an important report that proposes what kind of human resources need to be developed in current higher education, considering retrospectively from there. As modern society becomes more complex, diversified, and individualized, uncertainty and unpredictability in the world increase, and students become independent in order to cultivate the ability of young people to independently advance learning and Osamu. It is the background that learning is becoming increasingly important. Specifically, the following emphasis is placed on the image of human resources required in 2040.
In other words
・Have basic and universal knowledge and understanding and general-purpose skills.
・You can utilize that knowledge and skills.
・He has communication skills, including overcoming dilemma.
・Human resources who can take autonomously responsible actions
That's right. In order to develop such human resources, it is necessary to shift from the viewpoint of "what we taught" in higher education to "what we learned and acquired" rather than "what we taught" I am. It can be said that by integrating learning-oriented education and the independent learning of students, it will be possible to develop human resources who are truly needed in society in the future. The university will respond while recognizing students as an adult, so you will strive to respond to them and learn, act, and take responsibility on your own initiative. I hope you have it.

　It is up to you to keep in mind that you will need more and more advanced and specialized knowledge in a more complex society, and that you will strive to acquire an independent spirit and independent inquisitive mind of the bachelor's degree. I look forward to your great study with the aim of completing an excellent master's thesis that has enhanced your expertise to the ultimate level at the time of completion of the course.

　Finally, I would like to congratulate you on the 2020 Shimonoseki City University Entrance Ceremony, hoping that your university life will be fruitful and rich.

April 6, 2020　　　　　　　　
President KAWANAMI Yoichi, Shimonoseki City University