An entrance ceremony at Shinshu University.
The principal of Shinshu University has made the news for telling the incoming students during their matriculation ceremony that they should either quit using smartphones, or quit university altogether.
His comments have generated a debate over whether universities need to embrace technology and move with the times, or whether students should put their smartphones down and pick up a book instead.
What do you think? Are smartphones compatible with university education?
From Asahi Shimbun:
“Either Quit Using Smartphones Or Quit University”, Says Principal Of Shinshu University During Entrance Ceremony
“Either quit using smartphones or quit university”. That’s what Principal Yamazawa told around 2,000 new entrants into the University’s 8 faculties when the entrance ceremony was held in the Matsumoto City Gymnasium on April 4.
Principal Yamazawa expressed concerns over the trend in recent years for the younger generations to attach too much importance to the use of smartphones, and to become dependent on them: “You become students full of creativity by turning off your phones and reading a book, speaking to friends, getting into the habit of thinking for yourself and thinking about things from their very foundation, by giving your all”.
As representative of the incoming class, Kurata Yusuke (18), from Kamiina Agricultural Higher School, who is entering the University’s department of Agricultural Life Sciences, part of the Faculty of Agriculture, told of his determination: “I don’t just want to study agriculture, but I also want to study the fields of economics and law, and see the bigger picture by having a global outlook. I want to contribute to society by expanding my understanding of agriculture. The knowledge that we acquire here will become a significant driving force for us, as we carry on the next generation”.
After studying for one year at Matsumoto, the new university entrants will be transferred to campuses according to their faculties, which include Nagano, Ueda, and Minamiminowa, as well as Matsumoto.
Of the 2068 new university entrants, excluding exchange students, 552 students (26.7%) originate from the University’s home prefecture — 27 fewer than in the previous year — and the proportion of women entrants was 33.9%. (Matsumoto Eiji)
Comments from 2ch.net:
フランケンシュタイナー(SB-iPhone)＠＼(^o^)／:
OK then, I’ll quit Shinshu University.
ランサルセ(栃木県)＠＼(^o^)／:
Only option is to quit Shinshu University, then.
栓抜き攻撃(庭)＠＼(^o^)／:
Best thing to do would be to quit both.
タイガースープレックス(新疆ウイグル自治区)＠＼(^o^)／:
This is exactly the kind of speech you’d expect from a principal from a low-level, shit university.
膝靭帯固め(dion軍)＠＼(^o^)／:
I’m not too bothered about your philosophy, dude.
I bet you just don’t like people who use smartphones.
ドラゴンスクリュー(東日本)＠＼(^o^)／:
You’re a university student now, time to put away such things.
They’re too spoon-fed.
If you get to a good age, and you want to waste your life by being dependent on smartphones and the Internet, then that’s your own responsibility.
ツームストンパイルドライバー(やわらか銀行)＠＼(^o^)／:
Listen up you old fool, this is what you should say when they’re doing the entrance exams, not during the entrance ceremony.
クロスヒールホールド(神奈川県)＠＼(^o^)／:
There is merit in walking around carrying a load of books.
ドラゴンスリーパー(庭)＠＼(^o^)／:
Shit, don’t push your way of thinking on others.
ローリングソバット(チベット自治区)＠＼(^o^)／:
He’s quite persuasive.
不知火(神奈川県)＠＼(^o^)／:
He’s more or less right.
I’m really glad that when I was a student we didn’t have them.
ストマッククロー(福井県)＠＼(^o^)／:
Seriously, people everywhere are fiddling with their smartphones too much.
アイアンクロー(やわらか銀行)＠＼(^o^)／:
“”You become students full of creativity by turning off your phones and reading a book, speaking to friends, getting into the habit of thinking for yourself and thinking about things from their very foundation, by giving your all”
What is he saying about digital assistants…
Get rid of all the PCs in Shinshu University, then!
This is why their generation is getting left behind…
マシンガンチョップ(東京都)＠＼(^o^)／:
Final answer: Don’t quit either.
Instead, question why you have to quit one or the other.
アイアンクロー(中部地方)＠＼(^o^)／:
Ultimately, they’re just not changing with the times, are they?
You should show people how to use smartphones in a meaningful way!
