Tokyo Institute of Technology held the Welcoming Ceremony for 2020 and 2021 Admissions at the 70th Anniversary Auditorium on Ookayama campus on November 3, 2021.
As the numbers of COVID-19 cases have finally continued to remain low recently, the ceremony was held to once again welcome students who enrolled at the Institute in AY 2020 and AY 2021, as many could only view the welcoming ceremonies held in April and September of 2020 and in April 2021 online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Three sessions were held in total, and the ceremony was attended by about 460 students, the president, executive vice presidents, and deans and directors.
At the beginning of the first half of the session, President Kazuya Masu addressed the students from the stage, expressing respect for their great efforts in coping with the difficult circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also touched on the meaning of the Institute’s logo “Swallow at the Window,” explaining that the character “工” partly depicts the shape of a window and represents an academic nest, adding that he hopes students try many different things in the “window” of the Institute. He encouraged students by saying that the outcomes of their efforts will benefit not only their future, but also that of Japan and the whole world.
Following the president’s address, Executive Vice President Tetsuya Mizumoto made a speech, after which the students were introduced to members of the board, deans, and directors. At the end of the first half of the session, each gave a few words of welcome in which they also talked about their own experiences.
In the last half of the session, there was a welcome concert of chamber music performed by the Tokyo Institute of Technology Orchestra. In each session, the orchestra played two pieces from the following three titles, and the ceremony ended successfully in an atmosphere of excitement.
Dvořák: String Quartet No. 12 “American Quartet,” Movement 1
Tchaikovsky: The Year 1812 Solemn Overture
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 2, Alla Hornpipe
Once again, we would like to welcome and congratulate all those who enrolled at the Institute in AY 2020 and AY 2021.