On 26 July 2023, 14 students graduated with degrees from ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ-IAS, nine from the MSc in Sustainability programme and five in the PhD in Sustainability Science programme. This year¡¯s graduates come from nine different countries: Ghana, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Netherlands, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and the United States. This special occasion was celebrated with a ceremony at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ-IAS in Tokyo, which was attended by students and their family members, faculty, and guests from the diplomatic community.
Tshilidzi Marwala (Rector, ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ), Sawako Shirahase (Senior Vice-Rector, ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ), Koji Kitayama (Deputy Assistant Minister and Director of International Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan), and Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi (Director, ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ-IAS) delivered congratulatory remarks. Dr Marwala praised the students¡¯ commitment and perseverance in completing their degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a video lecture, (Chair, ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ-IAS Advisory Board) commended the graduates for the high quality of their research, and emphasised the diversity of this year¡¯s cohort.
Following an introduction of the 2023 graduates by Kensuke Fukushi (Academic Programme Advisor, ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ-IAS), the academic degrees were awarded. The graduates received their diplomas from Dr Fukushi and celebratory gifts from Takashi Asai (Managing Director and Secretary-General, Japan Foundation for the ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ).
PhD graduate Mark McCarthy Akrofi and MSc graduate Josephina P. T. Wouda Kuipers gave speeches on behalf of their graduating classes.
The ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ-IAS postgraduate degree programmes are intended for future global leaders who will make important contributions to the international community by advancing creative solutions to issues of sustainability.
²ÝÁñÊÓƵ-IAS extends congratulations to the graduates on their achievements, and best wishes for their future endeavours.
