New Students Welcomed at the Spring 2026 Entrance Ceremony

On April 1, the university welcomed its newest cohort at the Entrance Ceremony held on the Nisshin Campus. A total of 179 students joined in April 2026, bringing overall enrollment to 652 as of the start of the academic year.

During the ceremony, Chancellor Hiroyuki Kurimoto addressed both undergraduate and Graduate School of Management students as they embarked on this new chapter of their academic journey. The event also featured a special congratulatory address by Dr. Bodo B. Schlegelmilch, Honorary Professor at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) and Honorary Dean of the WU Executive Academy, who attended as a distinguished guest.

In his address, Chancellor Hiroyuki Kurimoto spoke on three central themes: the mission of the university, the essence of learning, and the power of crossing boundaries.

Focusing first on the university’s mission, he reflected on a commitment that has guided the institution for over 90 years—the pursuit of excellence in business education. He reaffirmed the school’s dedication to delivering a truly global standard of management education, one that prepares students to lead in an increasingly complex world.

To the incoming graduate students—many of whom will balance professional responsibilities alongside their studies—he offered words of encouragement as they embark on this new chapter. He concluded with a guiding principle of the university:
“Do not follow the path that is laid out before you—forge your own where none exists.”

As a distinguished guest for the AY2026 entrance ceremony, the university welcomed Dr. Bodo B. Schlegelmilch, Honorary Professor of WU Vienna University of Economics and Business and Honorary Dean of the WU Executive Academy.

In his keynote, Dr. Schlegelmilch addressed three defining forces shaping today’s world.

First, he spoke about rising geopolitical tensions—from regional conflicts to trade frictions. Supply chains, once viewed primarily through an economic lens, have become matters of national security. In such an environment, leaders must be able to understand cultures, interpret history, and make responsible, well-informed decisions.

Second, he highlighted the rapid transformation of technology, including AI, automation, and digitalization. No matter how advanced technology becomes, he emphasized, it is ultimately humans who determine how it is used. Leaders must continually ask: Why are we using this technology? and For whom? Ethical judgment and clarity of purpose are more important than ever.

Third, he addressed demographic change. Many developed countries, including Japan, are facing unprecedented population decline, reshaping the very structure of society. At the same time, regions such as Africa and India are experiencing rapid population growth, shifting the global center of gravity. Future leaders, he noted, must be able to work across cultures and generations, navigating both mature and emerging markets with equal perspective. Leadership, in this sense, is not only about delivering results—it is also about acting with integrity toward society.

He closed his remarks with three simple yet powerful messages:
Stay curious. Be courageous. Act with responsibility.

He left students with a final reflection:
“Every generation inherits a world it did not create—one filled with challenges, contradictions, and complexities. Yet each generation also inherits the power to change that world. The world is not simple, but complexity is not something to fear—it is something to shape.”

Classes for the Spring Semester began on Saturday, April 4.
We look forward to supporting our new students as they begin what we hope will be a meaningful and rewarding academic journey.