On Friday, December 21, 2018, 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 2 graduates.

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

*Number of Graduates in December
【Master's Graduates】
Information Science 2

【Doctoral Graduates】
Biological Sciences 1

Total 3

【Congratulatory Remarks to Graduating Students】

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

Including the 3 graduates today, NAIST has conferred 7,627 master's degrees and 1,592 doctoral degrees since its establishment, with international students comprising 305 master's and 290 doctoral degree recipients.

Currently, science and technology is facing an unprecedented era of revolutionary changes. In recent years, keywords in science and technology are ICT technology related to information science: Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Data Science. These technological innovations will, of course, bring about enormous change throughout society as well.

These innovations in ICT technology have led to notable developments in science and technology fields outside of information science. For example, in the field of biological sciences there is the existing research area of bio-informatics and in materials science the term materials informatics is heard often.

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', 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.

It is currently thought that the computer ability will surpass our human ability in the 2040's and technical singularity will be achieved, and, at that time, the majority of the jobs existing today will disappear and it is predicted that new jobs will appear. In the 2040's you will be the central part of society.

You have developed specialized knowledge and experience in each of your separate fields. However, from now I hope that you will be active as researchers and engineers, responding flexibly to developments in science and technology through a broad understanding of various areas and fields of study to continually pursue the opening of new frontiers for exploration, and that you actively undertake the creation and application of new science and technology to effectively overcome whatever singularity may bring.

Through your thesis research, you have the valuable experiences through which you developed the ability to identify problems, explore and implement solutions to these problems, evaluate the outcomes, and write academic papers on the outcomes through discussions with people having various viewpoints.

This experience, while not always enjoyable, along with the network you have created here at NAIST will be a key factor in ensuring your future as researchers and engineers.

NAIST's role does not end with us sending you out into society. Rather, the NAIST faculty and staff members consider 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.

This year on Sunday Nov. 11 we held our Homecoming Day and this kind of event will be held again. We hope that you will come and visit at that time.

Additionally, NAIST aims to further strengthen its international network of graduates active throughout the globe through our overseas offices, etc., and hope that you actively participate in these efforts.

In concluding my message, I would like to congratulate you all again. We look forward to your future success, and we will continue to support your future endeavors.

Naokazu Yokoya, President, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
December 21, 2018