Kazumi Fukagawa: Supporting the Dreams of Students

During my student days, I was obsessed with sailing and wandering the world, which led me to repeat a year. At that time, through an introduction from my respected senior, Dr. Kazuo Tsubota, I had the opportunity to receive guidance from Dr. Masahiro Ogami, who founded the International Medical Research Association. Furthermore, with the warm cooperation of then-Dean of the School of Medicine Kenjiro Yasuda and Keio University President Tadao Ishikawa, I established the Japan-China Medical Student Exchange Association in 1985. I visited China shortly after the restoration of diplomatic relations and was able to gain a wealth of knowledge and experiences that could never be replicated. I was deeply moved by the passion and the warm hearts of the Keio University seniors who took a single student's dream seriously. It was then that the desire to "one day support the dreams of my juniors" began to take root.

Years passed, and in 2004, I had the opportunity to be involved in the management of the Akakura Sanso villa as a director of the School of Medicine alumni association (Sanshikai). Together with my ophthalmology classmate, Hao-Yong Yang, I launched the "Keio Akakura Academy (KAA)." At KAA, students and seniors active on the global stage gather to discuss not only academic themes but also life itself. I am moved every time by the sparkling eyes of the students and the big dreams shared by the seniors. Its management gradually shifted to being student-led, and it was finally officially recognized as a student organization. Furthermore, alumni who were once committee members have begun guiding activities as members of the Sanshikai Akakura Sanso Management Committee. A system that is passed down across generations has been established.

In my involvement with KAA, I am always surprised by the speed of student growth. A few years ago, university students spontaneously planned KAA-Jr. This is a project where university students from the three medical-related faculties provide a place of learning for students from Keio's affiliated schools. Before I knew it, the Japan-China Medical Student Exchange Association is approaching its 40th anniversary. I feel that they are gaining wonderful insights on a level completely different from when I visited. I feel that these activities are truly "learning while teaching, teaching while learning." In 2023, following a proposal from Dean of the School of Medicine Takanori Kanai, I contributed in my own small way to the establishment of the Shibasaburo Kitasato Future Human Resource Development Fund.

It would make me happy if I could pass on the passion I received from my seniors when I was a student to my juniors. I hope to continue supporting the dreams of my juniors through activities such as the Japan-China Medical Student Exchange Association, KAA, KAA-Jr., and the Shibasaburo Kitasato Future Leading Fund.