自分自身は、大学の卒論・博士論文を見て下さった先生には本当に感謝していて、彼らから沢山のことを学びました。そして、自分が実験をする上で不自由が無いように、様々な面で助けてくれていました。そういうことを思い出すと、私のような奴が室長の研究室を出て、社会に飛び立っていって良いのだろうか、と、悩んでしまいます。そもそも私が大学の先生なんてやってていいのだろうか、という根本的疑問が湧いてきてしまいます。

　私自身、一期生の三人には感謝してもしきれません。いろんなめぐりあわせがあったとはいえ、よくもまあ私の最初の学生として卒論研究、修士の研究とやってくれました。そんなに予算を持っていない私のためにいろいろ我慢もしてくれたのだろうと思います。言葉に出来ないですね。ありがとう。そしてこれからもよろしく、ということです。二期生がこれからはリーダーシップを取って、より安定した良い研究室になっていければと考えています。

*The photo is nothing to do with the contents of this article... I took it in Raspberry Cafe, Christchurch.

   It was a Graduation Day. Nobody within our team had actually graduated since I was appointed in 2013. My first students started doing research in 2013 when they were 3rd years and all of them carried on towards their Master's degree since now. I had experienced Graduation Days when they finished their undergraduates but nobody left the team since this year. 

   I am so much thankful to professors who looked after my honours and PhD thesis. I learnt a lot from them. They helped me a lot to make sure my research goes smoothly. When I think about these things, I feel like I am not good enough to educate my students to become a part of the 'real' world. Well, the fundamental question here is whether I am good enough as a University academic. 

   I cannot thank my first students enough. I still wonder why they chose me as their supervisor. All of them stayed here towards their Master's degrees although they knew I did not have many funds. I would like to thank my students. By saying that, two students will become 2nd years of their Master's degrees from April and I am sure they will take the leadership in my team from now on!