英語 - 大学案内
President's Message concerning 2011 Earthquake (March 31, 2001)
March 31, 2011
To All Students, including New Students, and Parents,
I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the suffers of the 3.11 Eastern Japan Earthquake. Our University has received warm words of encouragement from many people around the world. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to those thoughts and care.
Since the Aizu region is relatively far from the devastated areas near Fukushima nuclear power plant, many evacuees are taking shelter in Aizu. It is anticipated that it will take a while for evacuees to get over the difficulties caused by the Earthquake. I sincerely hope that they will be able to attain peace of mind in Aizu, a historical and academic region, even if only slightly, and to return to their normal life as soon as possible. We, the University as a whole, are determined to offer as much support as possible.
We have confirmed the safety of all of our students, and are relieved to hear that news because we have many students who are from the quake devastated areas. Our facilities were partially damaged, however, the damage was not so severe and we were able to resume normal administrative operation at the University right after the Earthquake. Transportation around the Aizu area has been back to normal, including highway bus services to and from Tokyo, local railway lines, and highways. Tohoku Shinkansen has also been restored from Tokyo to Nasu-Shiobara Station, and restoration of the entire line by the end of April is expected. Food and gasoline supplies are sufficient here, and we no longer have to face inconveniences caused by the Earthquake.
As for concerns due to the nuclear power plant accident, the value of radioactivity in the Aizu region is very low, and judging from the geographic feature of the region that it is surrounded by mountains, we do not have to worry about the radiation. However, harmful rumors on agricultural products in local areas are now affecting the economy in the region. The University is cooperating in providing scientific evidence to prevent the local communities from being damaged by such unscientific rumors.
The 3.11 Earthquake has given catastrophic damage to eastern Japan in various ways. At this difficult time, the power from the young is indispensable to rebuild society. And I believe that educational institutions should serve as a basis for further steps toward restoration.
Fortunately, our University resumed normal administrative operation right after the Earthquake, although all the classes in April have been cancelled due to the Earthquake. New students have already been started self-directed learning of English, math and physics, taking April as the time to prepare for the upcoming classes. Our all-out efforts of students, faculty and administrative staff are dedicated to restoration of the region. Your continuing cooperation in our activities would be greatly appreciated.
Shigeaki Tsunoyama
President, the University of Aizu
[Last Update] 2011-04-04