The 2025 commencement ceremony was held.

On March 13, 2026, the 2025 commencement ceremony for the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences was held in the conference room of the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences building. 19 course doctorate recipients and 1 dissertation doctorate recipient received their degrees. At the ceremony, IDO Akio, President of Kagoshima University, conferred degrees on the 17 recipients in attendance.
President IDO said in his address, “Agricultural, Forestry, and Fisheries Sciences form the foundation for ensuring the world’s food supply and make significant contributions to solving challenges faced by local communities. In particular, issues related to food and health, the environment, islands, water, energy, and disaster prevention require solutions that integrate both global and local perspectives. These issues are closely tied to the research you have been conducting. In this sense, you are leaders capable of tackling humanity’s challenges head-on and the driving force behind tomorrow’s society. For the sake of human peace and stability, I hope you will apply what you have learned here to advance not only scientific progress but also to take on the challenges facing the future of both your local communities and the world.”

Next, NODE Koichi, President of Saga University, and KINA Ikue, President of the University of the Ryukyus, gave congratulatory addresses.

Lastly, on behalf of the graduates, Dr. CABEBE-BARNUEVO ROXANNE, assigned to Kagoshima University, delivered an acknowledgement speech. Reflecting on the hardships and struggles of doctoral course life, she expressed gratitude for having been able to devote herself fully to her research field. She also conveyed her appreciation to her family, peers, and academic advisors for their support, noting that the degree she has earned is not merely an achievement but a testament to her personal growth. She concluded by expressing her determination to move forward, carrying both the knowledge and character.

After the ceremony, a celebration party was held to celebrate the new doctoral researchers.

【Course Doctorate】
11 Japanese students
8 international students (1 from Bangladesh, 1 from Kenya, 1 from South Korea, 1 from the Philippines, 1 from South Sudan, 2 from Thailand, and 1 from Vietnam)

【Dissertation Doctorate】
1 Japanese

(All the attendees together for a commemorative photograph)

At the celebration party, the 2025 Outstanding Student Award of the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences was awarded to Dr. ALISA PATTARAPISITPORN, assigned to Saga University.
(From left: Dean KITAHARA, Dr. ALISA PATTARAPISITPORN, and her main supervisor, Prof. NOMA)