NEWS

On September 26, 2025, the Entrance Ceremony was held on the APU campus, welcoming 645 new students from 65 countries and regions to the APU community.
Furthermore, as part of a welcome program for the new students, various activities, performances, and events were organized. There was a poster session to introduce the research conducted in seminars along with photo spots, welcome performances, and fireworks, and the new students appeared to thoroughly enjoy the special festivities.

At the ceremony, President Hiroshi YONEYAMA gave welcome speech to new students. He said:
“By the time you graduate, you will have become an individual “who possesses the power to change the world.” You will collaborate with like-minded individuals worldwide to create a better future for humanity and our planet—your growth as APU students and as future leaders begins today.

―――You can read the rest of his congratulatory message here.―――

Our honored guests, Mr. SATO Kiichiro, the governor of Oita Prefecture delivered congratulatory speech. “During your time at APU, I hope you all enjoy what Oita has to offer and proactively interact with people from all parts of the prefecture. I also hope that Oita will become your second home and that, one day, you will serve as bridges between people and regions as well as between Oita and the wider world.”

APU is one of the most diverse campuses in the world. You’ll meet people from different countries, with different beliefs, and different stories. Don’t just study with them, connect with them. Learn from them. Support them. And allow them to support you, too. You may not realize it now, but every challenge you face here will help shape you into someone stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the world ahead. Use this time to explore, experiment, and expand your sense of what’s possible.

The representative speaker for the undergraduate class was ARAFAR Islam (College of International Management, Bangladesh ). While training as an officer cadet in the Bangladesh Army, he decided to resign from his post, driven by the desire to be a catalyst for change in society and contribute to something greater, and chose to pursue his studies at APU. In his speech, he expressed his strong aspirations: “With an acclaimed business degree and the professional skillset that APU has to offer, I want to devote my skills to promoting ethical business practices in Bangladesh, where the desire for profit often overshadows social responsibility.” He concluded by raising a toast, saying, “Cheers to the beginning of a wonderful journey full of new friendships and memorable experiences.”

The last student to make a speech was KIM Yejin (Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies, Korea), who represented the new graduate students. She previously studied Culture, Society, and Media at APU as an undergraduate and returned to the university to further deepen her learning through graduate studies. In her speech, she highlighted that APU is an inclusive campus where students can bring together their voices, transcending not only nationalities but also disabilities and diverse backgrounds. She encouraged her fellow students: “Let us “dive” into the field we are passionate about, “volley” our thoughts with one another, and “draw” our own world with colors we will find here at APU.”

You can watch the ceremony on APU’s official YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsQjGY640QY