Global Partnerships

Founded in 1858, Keio University has placed strong emphasis on international exchange from early on in its long history, steadily building relationships with overseas partners. To date, we have entered partnership agreements with over 340 universities and institutions of higher education worldwide, expanding student exchange programs, academic interaction opportunities, and research collaborations.

Furthermore, as a member of university consortiums such as the U7+Alliance of World Universities, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), the Japan-UK Research and Education Network for Knowledge Economy Initiative (RENKEI), and the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE), we are actively working with overseas universities and engaging in a range of activities that contributes to both global and regional communities.

List of Overseas Partner Institutions

International University Consortia

U7+Alliance of World Universities

President Itoh and Vice-President Tsuchiya Attend U7+ Presidential Delegates Meeting

On January 26 and 27, the U7+ Presidential Delegates Meeting was held, with President Itoh and Vice-President Tsuchiya in attendance. The meeting was hosted by Tohoku University and brought together 42 participants from 30 universities around the world.

President Kohei Itoh Elected as Chair of the U7+ Alliance

In July 2025, President Kohei Itoh was elected as Chair of the U7+ Alliance (hereafter U7+), which comprises over 50 research universities from G7 and non-G7 countries. This appointment recognizes Keio University's proactive international collaborations and leadership. His term will be for three years, starting in July 2025.

Joint Statement for G7 Summit Released at U7+ Alliance Presidential Summit

On April 22 and 23, the U7+ Alliance (hereafter, U7+) Presidential Summit was held in Ottawa, Canada, bringing together more than 80 university presidents from 16 countries at the University of Ottawa.

The U7+ Alliance of World Universities was established in 2019 on the initiative of the Sciences Po in France. More than 50 research universities from G7 and non-G7 countries are members of this consortium. At the annual U7+ Alliance Presidential Summit, university leaders engage in direct discussions on common issues and challenges faced by countries around the world and make recommendations to governments from the standpoint of universities. Keio University has been a member since its inception and with President Itoh currently serving as its chair.

U7+Alliance

APRU

Vice-President Tsuchiya Attends APRU Senior International Leaders’ Meeting 2025

The APRU (The Association of Pacific Rim Universities) Senior International Leaders’ Meeting 2025 (SILM: a meeting for vice-president level international officers of APRU) was held from October 14 to 15, 2025, at Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador, and Vice-President Tatsuhiro Tsuchiya attended.

President Kohei Ito and Vice-President Motohiro Tsuchiya Attend APRU Annual Presidents' Meeting to Discuss "Human Longevity and Its Challenges"

The 29th Annual Presidents' Meeting of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) was held from June 22 to 24 in San Diego, USA, and was attended by President Kohei Ito and Vice-President Motohiro Tsuchiya.

APRU Senior International Leaders’ Meeting 2024 Held at Mita Campus

From October 9 to 11, 2024, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Senior International Leaders’ Meeting 2024 (SILM), was held at Keio University Mita Campus.

The APRU is an alliance of universities comprising over 60 higher education institutions from within the Pacific Rim. It was established in 1997 with the aim of promoting the creation of cooperative systems in education, research, and corporate management in the Pacific Rim as well as contributing to economic, scientific, and cultural development across the region. Keio University has been a member since 2002 and currently participates as a Steering Committee member.

APRU

RENKEI

Vice-President Tsuchiya Participates as Panelist in Lord Edward Boyle Memorial Lecture

On October 10, Vice-President Tsuchiya participated as a panelist in the "Lord Edward Boyle Memorial Lecture (The Importance of Global Partnerships in Higher Education and the Case of the RENKEI Network)."

Vice-President Tsuchiya Exchanges Views with Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister at the UK Department for Education, and Others

On July 30, Vice-President Tsuchiya participated in the UK-Japan Education Industry Networking Reception held at the official residence of the British Ambassador to Japan.

Vice-President Tsuchiya Participates in RENKEI Climate Change and Energy Workshop

From May 6 to 9, a Climate Change and Energy Workshop by RENKEI (Japan-UK Research and Education Network for Knowledge Economy Initiatives) was held, hosted by Newcastle University and Durham University in the UK. Vice-President Motohiro Tsuchiya, Associate Professor Yoshinobu Takei of the Faculty of Law, and Associate Professor Naoki Wada of the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies participated from Keio University.

“RENKEI” stands for the Research and Education Network for Knowledge Economy Initiatives and is a university consortium established in 2012 focusing on research collaborations. It comprises ten institutions in Japan and the UK. RENKEI actively builds partnerships not only among universities but also with government, industry, and private non-profit organizations to promote research that addresses the challenges of global society. Keio University has been a member since 2023 and represented the Japanese member universities as co-chair in the 2025 academic year.

RENKEI

APAIE, NAFSA, EAIE

Keio University participates in annual conferences organized by educational organizations for international exchange, such as the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) in the Asia-Pacific region, the Association of International Educators in North America (NAFSA), and the European Association for International Education (EAIE) in Europe, and works to strengthen cooperative relationships with overseas partner universities at events that bring together educational institutions from around the world. Keio University participates in APAIE as an Advisory Council Member.

APAIE

NAFSA

EAIE