To all students expecting to graduate or complete their degrees,
family members,
and alumni celebrating their 25th anniversary,
As was recently announced, the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) have forced the cancellation of the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies for the 2019 academic year, as well as related events such as the 25th anniversary alumni reception that were also due to be held over these days.
All students expected to graduate or complete their degrees, their families, and the 25th anniversary alumni were undoubtedly looking forward to the commencement ceremonies set to be held in the newly-reconstructed Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall.
Keio University also greatly regrets that it was forced to make this decision. However, with last year’s event involving large-scale ceremonies attended by around 12,000 people for the undergraduate and 2,500 for the graduate ceremonies, this decision was arrived at in light of the recent situation and the necessity to prioritize the health and safety of those who had planned to participate as well as to prevent the spread of infection. We ask for your kind understanding and cooperation.
In place of the ceremonies, some of the scheduled program for the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies, including the Keio presidential address and congratulatory addresses by representatives of the alumni, will be broadcast via video feed from the Keio University website at the following dates and times.
We encourage you all to take the chance to participate by viewing these on your PCs, smartphones, etc. Note also that the program will take place on the day behind closed doors with no participants in attendance other than the Keio President and presenters, from the viewpoint of preventing infection.
■ Video relay of undergraduate degree conferral ceremony in place of undergraduate commencement ceremony
March 23 (Mon.), 2020 from 10:00
■ Video relay of graduate degree conferral ceremony in place of graduate commencement ceremony
March 26 (Thurs.), 2020 from 10:00
The video URL will be announced as soon as it has been finalized, with the link also due to be posted on the top page of the Keio University website on the day. Please take time to watch.
Details regarding the conferral of diplomas to those who have graduated or completed their degree program, issuance of certificates, etc., will be enclosed with the academic transcripts which are due to be sent out on March 10 as well as posted on the university website (keio.jp portal).
The degree conferral ceremony for correspondence courses students will also be announced via the Correspondence Courses website.
It is also planned to set up congratulatory signboards for graduates in the middle of March at each campus. We would be delighted if these were used to take commemorative photographs.