"Science without conscience is but the ruin of the soul."

 

Torahiko TERADA

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Colleagues, Dear Faculty Members, and above all, Dear PEAK/GPEAK program New Students,

It is with great joy and deep pride that I welcome you, as the Dean of the College and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, to our institution, the University of Tokyo. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in your lives, a moment you will never forget. You are now part of a dynamic, demanding, yet caring and passionate academic community.

You arrive here with your dreams, ambitions, and sometimes doubts. Some of you have traveled hundreds of kilometers to come to Japan, and others come from very close by. You have already had many experiences in different countries or institutions that you can share with your fellow PEAK/GPEAK program students. You have taken an important step: you have chosen to commit to learning, discovery, and building your future at the University of Tokyo.

Our university isn't just a place where knowledge is imparted. It's a space for transformation. Here, you'll learn to think differently, to question yourself, to argue, and to create. You'll encounter new ideas, unfamiliar disciplines, and people with backgrounds very different from your own. And it's precisely this diversity that makes our PEAK/GPEAK program so rich. You'll learn things, of course. But you'll also learn about yourself. You'll discover your strengths, your passions, and sometimes your limitations. You'll be challenged, and you'll face these challenges with courage and determination.

In this regard, I would like to quote a passage from a work of 16th-century French literature."Science without conscience is but the ruin of the soul." This phrase was written by FrançoisRabelais, a 16th-century French humanist writer notable as the author of Gargantua and Pantagruel. According to Rabelais, learning without understanding is pure waste. The acquisition of knowledge must be done, not in the service of oneself to rule and dominate, but in harmony with the laws of the cosmos and in the service of others. Rabelais recalls the importance of reflection in moving from accumulation to understanding.

University isn't just about classes and exams. To deepen your knowledge, you need enriching experiences and meaningful connections with others. What's also important is a vibrant student life, full of energy and creativity. Participate in events, join an association, launch a project, express your talents, for yourself and others. Whether you're an athlete, artist, entrepreneur, or simply curious, you'll find a space here to express yourself.

All these experiences will certainly be useful in building a future together. You are the builders of tomorrow's world. The challenges we face—climate, social, technological, and ethical—are immense. But I am convinced that you have within you the resources, intelligence, and sensitivity to address them. Our role is to give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence necessary to achieve this.

Dear students, you are at home here. This university is now your intellectual home, and above all, your testing ground, your springboard to the future. We are proud to have you among us, happy to welcome you, eager to accompany you, not only to provide education but above all to build a world together.

I wish you all a rich and stimulating academic journey, full of discoveries and successes. May this journey live up to your expectations—and even exceed them.

Once again, welcome, and I wish you a wonderful start to the new academic year!