On March 24, 2023, Okayama University held its Academic Year 2022 Degree Conferment Ceremony at the Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds Gymnasium (Zip Arena Okayama) to celebrate the new chapter of 3,150 undergraduate and graduate students’ lives.

At the ceremony, President MAKINO Hirofumi conferred diplomas and certificates to the representatives of the 22 valedictorians of the undergraduate and graduate schools. The 17 recipients of the Okayama University Kokusho Award, which is given to students with outstanding academic performance and character, were commended, and a certificate was presented to the representative.

In his remarks at the ceremony, President Makino expressed his hope that "the next generation of students who have endured the Corona disaster and worked hard are developing the ability to open up the 'era of VUCA', where it is extremely difficult to predict the future," and added, "I hope that you will recognize the activity base from April as a 'new place for growth' and continue to study throughout your lives. In the morning, KODAN Yuki of the School of Economics and SATO Ikumi of the Graduate School of Health Sciences, and in the afternoon, KAWATA Mikiho of the Discovery Program for Global Learners and NAKAJIMA Ryo of the Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, delivered their reply speeches on behalf of the graduates.

Outside the venue, graduates took commemorative photos with their families and friends, reluctantly saying goodbye.

Click here for the full text of the President's address.
Click here to see the number of graduates.
The ceremony was streamed live on YouTube.
　Archived videos are available here.
　Click here for the morning session
　Click here to see the afternoon session
Click here for photos from the day of the ceremony on Okayama University's Instagram.