On September 26th, a guidance session was held for the 17 students entering the master’s program and 5 students entering the Ph.D. program in the Autumn Semester of the 2025 academic year.

The session began with a congratulatory address from the Dean Meguro. In his address, Dean Meguro focused on three points. First, he spoke about the interdisciplinary character of the III/GSII and encouraged the new students to interact with students and faculty in other fields. Second, he reminded the students that being in graduate school provides the last chance to devote all one’s energy to oneself before taking on the social responsibilities that inevitably come after graduation. Finally, he pointed out that in graduate school one has the opportunity to pursue one’s own questions, rather than simply seeking answers to questions given by others, and therefore the new students should nurture not only problem-solving capacity but also problem-finding capacity.

Head of Department Naemura then addressed the students and talked about the unique structure of the III and GSII: the separation between research and educational organizations, the six courses/programs within a single interdisciplinary department, and the secondment of faculty from other departments. He urged the students to take full advantage of this unique structure by collaborating and building broad ties with students and faculty outside their own fields of research.

Finally, the students were given important information about class requirements, information security, contacting faculty, and using the library and consultation services.

Text: Academic affairs division
English proofreading: David Buist (Project senior specialist)