On April 2, 2016, Ritsumeikan University held AY2016 spring matriculation ceremony at Miyakomesse in Kyoto to welcome 8,900 new students, with the attendance of their families. The ceremony was held separately for students at Kinugasa, for students at Biwako-Kusatsu Campus and for students at Osaka Ibaraki Campus on the same day.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Ritsumeikan University Mixed Chorus Club Medics sang the school song. Then, Ritsumeikan University President Mikio Yoshida spoke a congratulatory address and encouraged new students.

“The university is not only the place where you study alone. Learning on your own is the basis of studying, but if it is enough, then the university is not necessary. Many students not only from all over Japan but also from all over the world get together here at Ritsumeikan. At this diverse environment, I hope all the students are exposed to different customs, cultures, languages and values to know yourself as well as acquire the ability to find and solve issues.”

On behalf of undergraduates at OIC, Ms. Runa Komuro (College of Comprehensive Psychology) spoke the following:
“After studying psychology at Ritsumeikan I would like study the brain science and artificial intelligence in a graduate school overseas. And in future, I would like to deliver to Japan such knowledge, technology and state-of-the-art research that I learn at the graduate school to convert Japan into the nation with the most advanced technology also in the area of the brain science and artificial intelligence.”

The second half of the ceremony was welcoming ceremony. A video introducing the Ritsumeikan students who challenge their limits and go beyond their borders was screened and welcome performance were presented by Wadaiko-Don (Japanese Drum Performance Club) and Panthers (American Football Club) with Cheerleading Club.