Okayama University held the 2013 Academic Title Diploma Investiture Ceremony on March 25 at the Gymnasium of the Okayama Prefectural Multipurpose Grounds (Momotaro Arena), and a total of 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students took their first step forward.

At the ceremony, President Kiyoshi Morita awarded degrees to 22 representatives from the departments and schools following the singing of the national anthem and the university anthem. The "Okayama University Kokusyou Prize" was also awarded to 16 students who excelled in both school records and personal characters, and honorable certificates were handed to the representative.

President Morita addressed, "I wish that you will make your own choices and finish what you chose to do to create your future and make your life brighter." On behalf of the graduating students, Ms. Satoko Akita from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Mr. Tatsuhiko Miyamoto from the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences made addresses in reply.

After the ceremony, the graduates dressed in hakama (formal Japanese kimono) and suits, sad at leaving their school and undergraduate friends behind, were receiving bouquets from the younger members of the circles, and taking commemorative photos with friends etc.

(14.03.25)