2022.04.15
News

24th Message from Our President: On the Occasion of the New Term

One week has passed since the start of the 2022 academic year. I am sure that everyone is studying hard with a fresh spirit.

In particular, new first-year students must have had a hard time deciding which courses to take because, unlike their previous high school classes, they have a wide choice of subjects to choose from. Please take a steady first step toward realizing your dreams and hopes.

We have always believed that the four years at university are a significant time for the growth of your intellectual, thinking, and personal abilities, and we have made every effort to permit face-to-face classes and club activities even amid the Corona disaster. We cannot neglect even a moment of your precious time. We will maintain this policy this year, although we may ask you to be flexible depending on the situation.

There have been no cases of infection spread during classes or commuting to and from school. In each case, the infection has been spread by eating and drinking among friends at boarding houses or restaurants or by unintentional behaviour such as karaoke or contact between family members. Please follow the rules to prevent infection and study hard.

Under the policy of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), all new students are required to have their personal computers. We are also steadily improving the campus information environment. We hope you will enjoy learning on campus in an environment where cyberspace and physical space are well mixed. If, for some reason, you have problems with information equipment or the environment, please do not hesitate to consult with the administrative office. We are ready to assist you.

The spread of the new coronavirus remains serious, and its momentum shows no sign of abating yet. It is said to be on the threshold of the seventh wave.There are also reports that a new Omicron strain with strong transmissibility has recently been found for the first time in Japan.

At present, vaccination is considered essential to stop the spread of infection. However, I hear that many young people are hesitant to be vaccinated a third time because of the experience of having been vaccinated twice before. Please stop for a moment and consider the risks you are exposed to and the impact on society if you do or do not vaccinate yourself. We ask that you make an appropriate decision, considering your circumstances. The university will make every effort to accommodate your vaccination needs.

We expect you to behave with pride as students of the University of Hyogo.

Isao OHTA
President
University of Hyogo