The 2024 Fall Graduation Ceremony for all Tokyo Tech students was held on September 20 on Ookayama Campus. A total of 423 degrees — 115 doctoral degrees, 210 master's degrees, 6 professional master's degrees, and 92 bachelor's degrees — were conferred. This fall, 240 of Tokyo Tech's graduates were international students.
Joining the students at the ceremony were roughly 600 family members and friends, President Kazuya Masu, members of the Board, and special guests.
This was the last graduation ceremony for Tokyo Tech as an institution before it merges with Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) to form Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) on October 1.
President Masu giving his final graduation ceremony speech
Masu began the ceremonial speeches with his congratulatory words to Tokyo Tech's last graduates. He urged the graduating students to maintain a broad perspective, an openness to new ideas, and a strong resolve to pursue their passions, and expressed his belief that every individual in front of him would create far-reaching impact. Masu also emphasized that Tokyo Tech's evolution into Science Tokyo would allow the reborn institution to further pursue truth and reason while pushing the boundaries of technology for the betterment of humankind, two goals that were always at the heart of Tokyo Tech.
Next, Naoto Ohtake, director-general of the Institute of Innovative Research and representative of the deans and directors at Tokyo Tech, shared his warm words to send off the graduates.
Ohtake sharing his thoughts with graduates
Tokyo Tech Alumni Association President Ido speaking to final cohort of Tokyo Tech graduates
Tokyo Tech Alumni Association President Kiyoto Ido (Class of 1972, Mathematics) also gave a short congratulatory talk at the ceremony.
Speech by valedictorian Tegar Nurwahyu Wijaya
After the conferral of degrees, valedictorian and XXX degree recipient Tegar Nurwahyu Wijaya from the Department of Life Science and Technology spoke on behalf of the graduating students, expressing his thanks to Tokyo Tech and sending out a strong message of hope regarding the future.
One final time, the Tokyo Tech community wishes all graduates and their families continued health and success.
The following is a transcript of President Kazuya Masu's speech at the 2024 Fall Graduation Ceremony.
Good morning, everyone.
The Tokyo Tech community is pleased to welcome students, parents, family members, staff, and friends to the 2024 Fall Graduation Ceremony for all graduating students. To begin with, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding graduates completing their degrees today. You have attained successfully an important milestone in your lives. In the face of rapid change and uncertainty, your determination, creativity, and resilience have been truly remarkable, and we celebrate together the culmination of your hard work. I want you to take pride in being members of Tokyo Tech's tenacious Class of 2024.
To the families, friends, and loved ones who have tirelessly offered their comfort and support: Thank you, on behalf of everyone at Tokyo Tech, for entrusting these individuals to us, and for everything you have done during these demanding times.
On this special day, 92 Tokyo Tech students graduate with bachelor's degrees, 210 students receive their master's degrees, 6 students complete their professional master's degrees, and 115 students earn their doctoral degrees. Graduates: Throughout your time at the Institute, you have explored not only your technical specializations, but also the liberal arts, humanities, and social sciences, in order to formulate your own distinctive vision of the world. You have collaborated with your peers and trusted mentors to generate fresh, innovative ideas and new value. You have sought the questions and answers that define your path to new discoveries and a better, brighter future. I want to congratulate you for these efforts, and thank you for adding another page to the 143-year history of Tokyo Tech.
And what a truly unique page it is. You, the fall cohort of the Class of 2024, will be the last students to graduate from Tokyo Institute of Technology. In October, Tokyo Tech will merge with Tokyo Medical and Dental University, TMDU, to form Institute of Science Tokyo, or simply, Science Tokyo. This integration will fortify and diversify our abilities to search for truth and reason, and push the boundaries of technology for the betterment of humankind. It will not, however, change the fact that you are all lifelong members of this deep-rooted community. Regardless of our evolution and continuous pursuit of new challenges, we will always welcome you here with open arms. The people who form Tokyo Tech, the Tokyo Tech Alumni Association, and soon, Science Tokyo, are always here to engage with you. I encourage you to reach out to us when you can, share the impact you have created, and explore how our community — your community — has expanded and evolved.
Graduates: Take a look around you for a moment. It is the people around you, the people of Tokyo Tech who have made the Institute what it is year after year. During my time as president, I have formed a habit of introducing to graduating students some of the leaders and innovators who passed through our campuses in the past. I would like to continue this tradition one final time. As the merger of the esteemed TMDU and Tokyo Tech communities is almost upon us, it seems fitting to introduce Dr. Eiichi Masuhara and Dr. Nobuo Nakabayashi, two men who spent significant amounts of time at both universities.
Masuhara joined Tokyo Tech in 1941, but only after he had graduated from Tokyo National School of Dentistry, which is now the Faculty of Dentistry at TMDU. He firmly believed that a strong background in science and engineering was required to truly develop dental care. After graduating from Tokyo Tech's Department of Electrochemistry, Masuhara returned to TMDU to dedicate himself to dentistry education and research.
Nakabayashi also studied at Tokyo Tech. He earned his degree in chemical engineering in 1959 and then completed his doctorate in 1964. After this, he also moved to TMDU to work as an assistant professor.
Masuhara and Nakabayashi revolutionized dental care during their heyday. Until the 1970s, amalgam commonly used in cavity fillings was problematic due to a lack of adhesive strength between the enamel and the filling, creating unwanted gaps which often led to reoccurring cavities. This changed thanks to the creativity of the two Tokyo Tech graduates. By combining their understanding of dentistry and polymer chemistry, Masuhara and Nakabayashi developed a dental adhesive resin cement that was a safe, effective solution in a wide range of dental applications. This innovation remains a wonderful example of convergence science that has bettered the lives of countless people.
Just as it did in your Tokyo Tech forerunners, I believe the ability to create this kind of far-reaching impact also lies within each of you. You are the graduates who complete the Tokyo Tech saga, and I have no doubt that you will seek and find success in your future endeavors. Regardless of the path you choose, I urge you to strive to maintain a broad perspective, an openness to new ideas, and a strong resolve to pursue your passions ― the three key qualities that have brought you this far.
With feelings of gratitude, nostalgia, and excitement, I would like to conclude by drawing your attention to the Tokyo Tech Seal, the swallow by the window, one last time. This seal symbolizes the Institute as a hub of technical innovation from which the windows of the world open up to its members. You entered this window seeking knowledge, guidance, motivation, and excitement. Today, as you gaze out of this window and face the world, the Tokyo Tech swallow stands next to you, prepares its wings, and takes to the skies together. To celebrate and eternalize this final flight, my colleagues and I would like to take some commemorative photos with you, so please remain seated for a few minutes at the end of the ceremony.
Tokyo Tech's Class of 2024: Continue to seek new challenges and opportunities with resilience, persistence, and passion. Continue to pursue your own path while sharing your knowledge to create a better, brighter future!
