2025 Fall Commencement Address by President Ishibashi

Congratulations to all of you who received your degrees from Kyushu University today.

In total, 440 students received their degrees: 70 from our bachelor’s programs, 174 from our master’s programs, 4 from our professional degree programs, and 192 from our doctoral programs. Among the recipients, 267 are international students. On behalf of the faculty and staff of Kyushu University, we are delighted to be able to celebrate you and the numerous others involved in your journey. We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you all as you embark on your next adventure.

The Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) took place this past August. TICAD is an international conference on African development held by the Japanese government in partnership with the United Nations and other international organizations. Focused on the theme “co-create innovative solutions with Africa,” this year’s event featured discussions about the potential for collaboration in fields including healthcare and economy. During the conference, Kyushu University held an open symposium entitled “Advancements in Maternal Child Health Management in Africa through Portable Health Clinic (PHC)—Leveraging AI and Digital Clone Technologies.” The portable health clinic (PHC) is a system that leverages information and communications technology and telemedicine to enable appropriate healthcare. Development of the PHC started in 2007, bringing together knowledge from a diverse array of fields at Kyushu University, including healthcare, engineering, and information science. In 2010, PHCs began operating in Bangladesh, and their use is now being expanded not only to other Asian countries, but also to Africa. The PHC system offers a variety of possibilities beyond the field of maternal and child health: as well as presenting a new healthcare model for Asia and Africa, it is a model for solving the problem of access to medical care in shelters after disasters as well as healthcare access issues due to uneven distribution of doctors and the aging population. PHC will also be a solution for medical problems in both Japan and Western countries. During TICAD 9, Kyushu University officially signed a Letter of Intent with the government of Sudan concerning an action plan on PHCs.

Dr. Naoyuki Kawahara of Rocinantes, a nonprofit organization which is active in Sudan and other parts of Africa, played a major role in the signing of this document. Dr. Kawahara graduated from Kyushu University’s Faculty of Medicine in 1992, and began undertaking healthcare delivery support activities in Sudan in 2005. Dr. Kawahara, now our visiting professor, brought this groundbreaking technology, PHC, and acts as a bridge between Sudan and the University. Today, his organization not only provides healthcare, but also undertakes such work as establishing clinics and developing water supply facilities to prevent disease, thereby striving to develop systems that will enable local people to continue providing healthcare. Based on TICAD 9’s theme of Japan co-creating innovative solutions with Africa, we will continue to spread PHCs in Africa.

As exemplified by the PHCs, we integrate knowledge across the University to discover new insights from unique perspectives, construct new ways of thinking, and provide solutions to the ever-growing list of challenges facing society today. This spirit of our vision is now learned in the disciplines you've mastered and your attitude toward your studies.

And today, all of you have realized one of your dreams. Now, step out into the world and seek your bright future. Do not fear the difficulties and challenges you face. We are always the biggest supporters of your new journey.

Kyushu University places great importance on connections with its alumni. Any time you want to learn more or challenge yourself with new goals, we will welcome you back to Kyushu University. Upon your return, let us once again embark on a “journey of knowledge.”

Kyushu University has many alumni associations, including a large number established by international graduates who have returned to their home countries. The official alumni groups of Kyushu University number 19 associations in 14 countries and regions, with new alumni associations formed last year in India, Turkey, and the Philippines. At Ito Campus, we have Homecoming Day, on the first Saturday of each November, which provides an opportunity for alumni from Japan and overseas to get together. They enjoy sharing the good times they had in their years of studying, regardless of age, region and field of study, and filling the campus with good memories and smiles. Homecoming Day takes place at the same time as the Kyushu University Festival, allowing alumni to join in with events arranged by current students as well. Following this event is Asian Week, which features seminars and culture events sharing the challenges we face in the region. Since the 2023 academic year, we’ve also organized a forum called Kyudai Now, introducing the latest research by Kyushu University in a variety of fields, and providing information about enrolling at the university. I hope you’ll take full advantage of these networks to continue to maintain a fulfilling connection with the University and society around you.

We are particularly proud of one alumnus, Dr. Tetsu Nakamura, who engaged in medical activities in Afghanistan for many years. He devoted himself to constructing irrigation canals in an effort to bring stability to the region, and we at Kyushu University continue to honor his firm will and unwavering desire.

Let me quote a passage from the end of Dr. Nakamura's book, Providence Was With Us:
“Humans are part of nature. Nature is inside of us all. This fact is both an undeniable fate and a blessing that regulates all life on earth. There is no way for us to survive as a species without a reconciliation between nature and humanity and between humans themselves in the endeavors of science, economics, medicine, agriculture, and all other aspects of human behavior. I believe that this is the mark of a decent civilization.”

This year marks 80 years since the end of World War Two. At this milestone we must reflect on the devastation of war and learn from this tragic history. And the increasing conflict around the world is a fact we must face, and this is not unrelated to our everyday lives.

In these uncertain and challenging times, I hope all of you will keep an eye on the state of the world as you carve out a place for yourselves on the global stage.

Once again, congratulations on your graduation.

September 25, 2025
Tatsuro Ishibashi
President of Kyushu University