June 1, 2020
NISHIDA Mutsumi
President
University of the Ryukyus
Dear students of the University of the Ryukyus, how are you spending your days, now that you have been attending online lectures only since the beginning of the first semester of this academic year?
COVID-19 has spread throughout the world in a short period of time and had a serious impact on social systems and people's daily lives. In response to this unprecedented situation, the University of the Ryukyus has been making efforts to realize your learnings as much as possible while keeping the lives and health of our members, along with the efforts of Okinawa Prefecture and the country. For this semester, we have provided online lectures and study guidance as well as giving information on the recommended forms of behaviors to prevent the spread of the infection. We deeply appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Under such circumstances, it is breaking my heart that you are unable to attend lectures on campus, and you have almost no opportunity to talk to classmates and lecturers in such an important time of your life to establish lifelong relationships. In particular, my heart aches to think that all new students had to accept the restrictions on entering campus and receiving online lectures without being formally welcomed at the entrance ceremony. I hope that you are making the most of your time at home by working on assignments given in online lectures and reading books that you would not normally read.
I also understand that many of you are having financial difficulties due to the decrease in part-time jobs and sudden changes in your families' income. For all of you to concentrate on your studies, we have prepared a variety of student aids*1. These include public support and support from the University’s own resources. We are also preparing new support schemes. We are putting effort to meet various needs with the intention of providing necessary support to those in need. We want you to understand our purpose and utilize these student aids without hesitation. I would like to do my best to expand support so that you can continue your studies.
Although I mentioned the aid from University’s own resources, that is a kind gift from the local people, companies/organizations, members of the Alumni Association, and faculty/staff members of the University. I think that this is the expression of the "Yuimaru" spirit that has been cultivated by Okinawa's ancestors and cherished to the present day. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the support we received, and I hope that all of you will be able to use the support and feel the spirit.
Recently, the number of COVID-19 cases has been decreasing in Okinawa and in Japan, and we decided to lower the activity restriction level from June 1 with careful observation of the situation. However, some areas in Japan are facing an increase in the number of new infections. Looking at the world, COVID-19 is still spreading. There is a good chance that the second wave will come, so we have to stay careful. Dear students, please continue the efforts to prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19 by following the "New Lifestyle*2" indicated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the "Campus Advisory for COVID-19 *3" of the University while utilizing the conditions allowed at the new restriction level.
*1 Variety of student aids (written in Japanese)
*2 New Lifestyle (written in English)
*3 Campus Advisory for COVID-19 (written in English)
