2025 Autumn Semester Matriculation Ceremony of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies

On Wednesday, October 1, the Autumn Entrance Ceremony of the Department of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, was held at ENEOS Hall on Komaba II Campus.

The ceremony began with an address by Professor Hirochika Sumino, Director of the Managing Committee, Department of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS). Prof. Sumino congratulated the new students on their admission and spoke about that tackling the growing complexity of the global challenges facing humanity today, such as climate change, energy security, and sustainable development, requires innovative thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration. Drawing on his research in geochemistry, he emphasized that while it is possible to detect increased volcanic activity through changes in volcanic gases, interdisciplinary collaboration beyond academic fields is essential to apply this knowledge to disaster prevention and risk mitigation. He encouraged the students to take full advantage of AIS’s diverse academic environment, where researchers from science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and the arts work side by side, to deepen their expertise while broadening their perspectives. He concluded his remarks by expressing his hope that the students will grow into researchers who can contribute to solving the complex problems that affect society and humanity.

Professor Masakazu Sugiyama, Director of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), followed with a congratulatory message. Prof. Sugiyama encouraged the students to cultivate both depth and breadth in their academic pursuits—likening the process of research to digging a deep tunnel while remaining aware of the world around them. He stressed the importance of advanced communication skills and interdisciplinary collaboration, noting that researchers must not only pursue knowledge within their own fields but also engage society by sharing their findings and listening to others. Highlighting the role of science in shaping a sustainable future, he urged the students to become researchers who can bridge disciplines and connect with diverse communities, turning their expertise into contributions that enrich society and open new frontiers of discovery.

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