昨日は勤務校の卒業式でした．卒業式は英語で commencement というのですが，「はじまり」という意味があるので，「さすが海外の大学は日本よりも前向きで良い」みたいなことを言われがちです．留学期間の長かった私は，留学体験記の類で commence... と目に入ったところで，「日本よりも前向き」というフレーズが見えるようになりました．百人一首の上の句と下の句のようなものです．個人的な好みを言うならば，commencement の素晴らしさを伝えるために，別の何かをクサす必要はないようにも思います．日本でも海外でも，素晴らしいものは素晴らしいのです．
学生の頃，卒業式は学生のイベントだと思っていました．今もそれは変わらないんだけど，立場が変わると，卒業式に様々な思いでかかわる人がいることもわかってきました．今の私は教員として卒業式に参加します．教員にはガウンを着て壇上に上る人もいますし，学位を授与する人もいます．スピーチをする人もいます．特に何もしないけど，自分が授業を持った卒業生が誇らしげにしているのを見て，それを誇らしげに思っている人もいます．今年の私は一番最後のグループでした．
現職について 3 年余りですが，今年の卒業生は私の着任の直後に入学したグループです．1 年の一般教養のクラスと，3 年の専門のクラスを担当しました．自分のクラスの学生は全員の顔を認識するような小さな大学です．顔見知りの学生が私を見つけると，写真撮ろうよ，と声をかけてきたり，1 年前に担当した流体力学のクラスの感想を今になって教えてくれたり，あるいは卒業後の仕事の話をしてくれたりと，授業期間中とは別のやり取りがあります．各々の学生が何らかの達成感を持って卒業するのであれば，教員としても嬉しいものです．ところで今年卒業するグループは，入学から卒業までの全期間を見届けました．まずは一仕事したかなということで，学生だけではなく，私も達成感を感じる卒業式でした．
教員として参加すると，学生が親御さんに私を紹介してくれることがあります．シンガポールでは，アジア的というのか，父権主義的というのか，いわゆる「うちのバカ息子がお世話になりました」のような感じで丁寧にして下さる親御さんが多いのは印象的です．恐縮する場面ではありますが，嬉しそうにしている親御さんを見るのは，教員としてもやりがいのある場面と言えます．
私が留学生だったので良くわかるのですが，卒業する留学生が自国から両親を迎えるのは大変です．式典では家族は壇上に上がる学生と分かれて着席する場合が多いのですが，ご家族が英語が苦手な場合は，卒業生が手伝いをすることになります．親御さんにしたら，自分が言葉を話せず心細い状況で，留学した子が自分の話せない言葉でコミュニケーションを取って助けてくれる，その当事者であることほど，子どもの成長を感じる瞬間はないんじゃないでしょうか．勤務校ではベトナムやインドネシアの周辺国から留学生がきています．ご家族が喜んでいるのはよくわかります．
振り返ると学生の頃は，卒業式は友達と一緒に騒ぐ最終日でした．卒業生は卒業生の立場でやりたいことがあったはずですが，今になると教員にも家族にも悲喜こもごもがある式典だと思います．結婚式は自分のための式典ではなくて親や周りの人のための式典だ，のようなことを聞いたことがあります．同じことが卒業式にも言えるんじゃないでしょうか．
少し話が飛ぶのですが，日本の大学についてです．東大が世界ランク 46 位に没落，というニュースがありました．Times Higher Education (THE) の定番で，毎年この時期の風物詩ですね．
大学にはこうあって欲しい，と意見を持ってる人ってどれくらいいるんでしょうか．大学は不要だけど世界ランキングは高いままであれ，短期的に役に立つスキルを教えて就職支援をするが基礎研究の論文数は減らさない，卒業基準を厳しくして学位の質は保つけども全員４年で卒業させる，などと，様々な立場の人が矛盾することを求めているのが今の日本の大学のように思います．
大学には様々な役割がある，というのもわかります．時代に沿って変わっていく，というのもわかります．ならば，どのように予算と時間（エフォート）を分配したらいいと思いますか．そして限られた資源の分配と優先順位の付け方は，誰がどのように決めたら公正でしょうか．大学の中の人間が決めても良いですか．
様々なオープンクエスチョンがあると思うのですが，人によって持っている前提が違い過ぎる中で，リンゴの重さとブドウの粒の数とバナナの長さのような，単位の違うものを足し合わせて競争する総合ランキングに対して一喜一憂するのも生産的ではないように思います．他方で，論文数の減少など各論において切迫した課題があるのも事実でしょう．
最後になりますが，本文の前半では卒業式の情緒的な話を書きました．卒業式で見られるような学生の達成感，親御さんの喜び，卒業した大学へ居場所を感じる意識などは，KPI と呼ばれる単純に数値化できる指標には含めづらいところなのです．私は大学だけではなく，教育機関が提供している大事なものだと思いますし，これらは卒業式だから可視化しただけで，学生が教育機関を通じて日々享受しているものだと言えます．これらは教育機関の価値として考慮されるでしょうか．あるいは，これらを価値だと考慮できる余裕が社会にあるでしょうか．
When I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any method you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
It is best to participate in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I'll recommend this web site!
Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thanks Nonetheless I am experiencing situation with ur rss . Don抰 know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting equivalent rss drawback? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
I would like to convey my appreciation for your generosity giving support to people that really want help with this important subject. Your real dedication to getting the message across was surprisingly practical and has regularly permitted associates like me to attain their targets. This useful report implies much to me and a whole lot more to my peers. Thanks a lot; from everyone of us.
There is noticeably a bundle to find out about this. I assume you made certain good factors in features also.
It抯 laborious to find educated people on this matter, however you sound like you realize what you抮e speaking about! Thanks
After research a number of of the blog posts on your web site now, and I actually like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and can be checking again soon. Pls take a look at my website online as nicely and let me know what you think.
Spot on with this write-up, I truly assume this web site wants rather more consideration. I抣l most likely be again to learn rather more, thanks for that info.
Would you be interested in exchanging links?
The following time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I imply, I do know it was my choice to learn, however I really thought youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you can fix if you happen to werent too busy looking for attention.
After research a couple of of the blog posts on your web site now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website checklist and can be checking back soon. Pls try my web page as well and let me know what you think.
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..extra wait .. ?
After research just a few of the weblog posts in your web site now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website checklist and can be checking back soon. Pls take a look at my website as well and let me know what you think.
Can I simply say what a relief to search out someone who actually knows what theyre speaking about on the internet. You definitely know how one can deliver a difficulty to mild and make it important. More folks need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant consider youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
very good submit, i actually love this website, keep on it
My husband and i ended up being very joyous when Jordan could finish up his basic research via the ideas he was given when using the weblog. It is now and again perplexing to just happen to be giving out procedures that men and women may have been trying to sell. We fully grasp we have got you to thank for that. All the explanations you've made, the straightforward web site menu, the friendships you can assist to instill - it's most unbelievable, and it's leading our son in addition to our family believe that that subject matter is exciting, which is certainly highly pressing. Thanks for the whole lot!
This really answered my problem, thanks!
I抎 should examine with you here. Which is not one thing I often do! I get pleasure from reading a publish that may make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to remark!
You made some first rate points there. I looked on the web for the issue and located most people will go along with together with your website.
Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thanks Nonetheless I am experiencing subject with ur rss . Don抰 know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar rss drawback? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
The following time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I imply, I know it was my option to learn, however I really thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you would fix in case you werent too busy in search of attention.
There are some interesting cut-off dates in this article but I don抰 know if I see all of them heart to heart. There is some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as properly
Your home is valueble for me. Thanks!?
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..extra wait .. ?
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the identical comment. Is there any manner you possibly can take away me from that service? Thanks!
Hi there! I simply would like to give an enormous thumbs up for the great data you have got right here on this post. I will be coming back to your weblog for extra soon.
I used to be very happy to search out this web-site.I wished to thanks for your time for this wonderful learn!! I undoubtedly enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
There are some interesting points in time on this article but I don抰 know if I see all of them middle to heart. There is some validity however I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like more! Added to FeedBurner as effectively
I抦 impressed, I have to say. Really rarely do I encounter a weblog that抯 both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have got hit the nail on the head. Your idea is excellent; the issue is something that not sufficient people are speaking intelligently about. I am very comfortable that I stumbled throughout this in my search for something regarding this.
I抎 need to examine with you here. Which isn't something I usually do! I enjoy studying a submit that will make individuals think. Also, thanks for permitting me to remark!
A lot of thanks for all of your labor on this blog. My mother really likes managing investigation and it's really simple to grasp why. Most people know all of the dynamic means you give precious tips by means of this web site and as well welcome participation from people on this subject plus our princess is really understanding a whole lot. Enjoy the remaining portion of the year. Your conducting a dazzling job.
That is the appropriate blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You notice a lot its nearly onerous to argue with you (not that I really would want匟aHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just nice!
There are actually plenty of particulars like that to take into consideration. That is a nice point to deliver up. I supply the ideas above as basic inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you bring up the place a very powerful factor will likely be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged around things like that, but I'm certain that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Both girls and boys really feel the impact of just a second抯 pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
An impressive share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a little evaluation on this. And he in truth purchased me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying extra on this topic. If attainable, as you become expertise, would you thoughts updating your weblog with extra particulars? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog submit!
Hey! I simply wish to give a huge thumbs up for the nice info you might have right here on this post. I will be coming back to your weblog for more soon.
You made some decent points there. I regarded on the web for the problem and found most people will associate with together with your website.
Aw, this was a really nice post. In concept I want to put in writing like this additionally ?taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article?but what can I say?I procrastinate alot and on no account appear to get something done.
You must take part in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I'll advocate this website!
It's best to participate in a contest for among the best blogs on the web. I'll suggest this site!
An impressive share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a bit of analysis on this. And he the truth is bought me breakfast as a result of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it and love reading extra on this topic. If potential, as you become expertise, would you thoughts updating your blog with more particulars? It is highly useful for me. Big thumb up for this weblog submit!
I抎 should test with you here. Which isn't something I often do! I get pleasure from reading a submit that may make folks think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
This site is really a stroll-through for all the data you needed about this and didn抰 know who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you抣l definitely discover it.
An interesting dialogue is value comment. I think that it is best to write extra on this matter, it might not be a taboo subject however generally people are not sufficient to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
There are actually lots of details like that to take into consideration. That could be a nice level to deliver up. I provide the ideas above as basic inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you bring up the place crucial thing will be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged around issues like that, but I am certain that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Each girls and boys feel the impact of only a moment抯 pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.