Notes from the President

Congratulatory Address

My congratulations to all the new students on your beginning at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
I would also like to congratulate your families, who have supported you through the years.

This year, 2023, marks a milestone for APU. For the first time since its inception, APU will open a new college, the College of Sustainability and Tourism, which will form a triangle with the College of Asia Pacific Studies and the College of International Management.

Until now, APU has been about “mixing” education, but going forward we will work to cultivate talented individuals who can produce solutions. Also, in the coming year, ee will also be holding events to commemorate the “second opening” of the university, so please join us in looking forward to these events.

The world is currently facing serious problems including the pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and major earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. In addition, the great problem of climate change stands in humanity’s path. These challenges cannot be solved without dialogue that transcends national borders and is considerate of those who are different. Working together with many people holding different values to produce solutions is one step in this direction. Looking at it another way, there is so much you can learn as a student here at APU, which itself is like a miniature of the world.

Today, I would like to share with you three things I would like you to try and do during your time as a student.

The first is to take action. As soon as you have an idea, act on it immediately. I would also like you to focus fully on the results achieved. By taking action, you will be able to connect the dots and deepen your learning. I, as well as the APU faculty and staff, will do our best to support your learning and challenges, so please act with confidence that you are the main character in the story.

Second, make many friends. It doesn’t matter what their gender, nationality, or country of origin is. I hope that you will find friends over the next four years who will resolutely stand by your side when you are in trouble or are feeling down.

Third, try to venture out into the wider world through “people, books, and travel.” You will have the most free time during your student days. I want you to meet different people, read many books, visit the homes of your friends in faraway countries, and travel to unfamiliar places to accumulate knowledge and improve your ability to think. As for books, I have attached a list of 30 books that I would like you all to read.

Finally, I would like to leave you with the words that Steve Jobs gave to the students at Stanford University’s commencement ceremony: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” This phrase means “Never be satisfied with the status quo. Follow the path you believe in.” The university will likewise do our best to be foolish, as if we were new first year students. Let us all go hand in hand and be foolish together.

April 1, 2023

Haruaki Deguchi
President
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University