On Monday, June 26, 2017, a graduation ceremony was held in the Administration Bureau Conference Room.
President Yokoya presented degrees to each graduate and gave the congratulatory speech to the 4 graduates.

After the ceremony, the commemorative photograph was taken and the graduates enjoyed the graduation ceremony with the president, executive directors and deans.

*Number of Graduates in June
【Doctoral Graduates】
Information Science 4
Biological Sciences 1
Materials Science 2

Total 7

【Congratulatory Remarks to Graduating Students】

I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the 4 doctoral students who have been awarded degrees today.

Additionally, there are 3 students who couldn't attend today for a total of 7 students finishing their doctoral studies. All of you will be starting new lives entering the workforce as independent, professional researchers and engineers.

Currently, science and technology is in an era of revolutionary changes where science and technology evolve as society itself experiences immense changes.
The keywords in science and technology for the past few years have been from ICT technology related to information science: big data, Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI).

These technologies have had wide-spread influence throughout society and it is said that this is leading to changes in many professions. We must recognize the influence of these in science and technology areas outside of information sciences.

For example, in the field of biological sciences there is already a research area called bio-informatics, and we are seeing the emergence of 'materials informatics' in the field of materials science.

In pursuit of a 'Super Smart Society' in which a myriad of things are connected to the internet fusing the 'cyber world' and the 'real world' and which is based upon analysis of huge amounts of real time-collected data that may be accessed from around the world through networks, a new research paradigm is developing called 'data-driven science' or 'AI-driven science.

You have explored the depths of your individual areas of research in the different fields of information, biological and materials sciences and I believe that you have not had the chance to perform research together spanning different research areas and fields. However, in the near future there is a strong possibility of you working on the same team working towards the same goal.

I hope that you will be active at the center of new science and technology creation and application as researchers and engineers that respond flexibly to developments in science and technology through a broad understanding of various areas and fields to continually pursue the opening of new frontiers for exploration.

Researchers must constantly focus on and explain the meaning and importance of their research themes and, at the same time, need to consider how the results of their research may be applied.
Science and technology may be used properly, but it may also be misused. If misuse is found to be possible, trying to prevent this may actually lead to new research topics.
During your years at NAIST, you have not only gained academic expertise in your respective fields but also, through your thesis research, you have developed the ability to identify problems, explore and implement solutions to these problems, evaluate the outcomes, and write academic papers on the outcomes though discussions with people having various viewpoints.

I am confident that such experiences at NAIST, along with the network you have created here, will assure your creative and fruitful lives as researchers and engineers.

NAIST's role do not end with us sending you out into society. Rather, the NAIST faculty and staff considers our role as facilitating the building of strong relationships with alumni so that each and all of you will be able to continue your creative lives in an ever-changing community of science and technology.

Of the graduates today, 6 of you are international students, and it is my wish that you expand your network here at NAIST with other graduates that are working around the globe to approach the issues that face society and our future.

In concluding my message, I would like to congratulate all of you again. We look forward to your continued successes and offer our support for your future endeavors.

　

Naokazu Yokoya, President, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
June 26, 2017