May 1, 1996 / Published in "Juku" No. 198, 1996
In 1898, Keio University reorganized its structure, establishing an integrated educational system consisting of the college, Keio Futsubu School, and Yochisha Elementary School.
To enhance the college, which was the core of this system, and to strongly promote the new structure, the following year, in 1899, six college graduates were sent to study in Europe and the United States with the aim of training them to become college faculty members from Keio.
In later years, these students, along with others sent abroad, joined the college faculty and, living up to the expectations of the Keio Gijuku Shachu, made significant contributions to the advancement of research and education at Keio University.
The college at Keio University, comprising the three departments of Literature, Economics, and Law, was established in 1890. The head professors of each department were all foreign teachers invited from Harvard University, and the majority of the faculty were Japanese and foreign teachers from outside Keio, with very few teachers being Keio graduates. When the integrated educational system was established with the 1898 reorganization, there was a growing call to hire Keio graduates for the faculty to establish Keio's academic identity, which necessitated expediting the training of teachers at the college.
In response to these demands, Keio University's Board of Councillors decided in 1899 to send six graduates to study abroad for the purpose of teacher training. Four of them—Torajiro Kambe, Teiichi Kawai, Kanjyu Kiga, and Tetsuji Aoki—were sent to Germany, while two—Kiichi Horie and Wasaku Natori—were sent to the United States, where they each spent several years in academic pursuit. This was not only the first such endeavor for Keio but also set a precedent for sending students abroad among private universities in Japan. At the time, Keio was in a financially difficult period, and sending six students abroad under such circumstances was a major, decisive act aimed at the future development of Keio's research and education.
Even before the formal dispatch of students, disciples of Yukichi Fukuzawa had been sent abroad by Keio. Fukuzawa, who felt the necessity of experiencing foreign cultures and knowledge, actively provided support for his disciples' studies abroad. It was against this backdrop that Keio was able to pioneer the formal dispatch of students abroad ahead of other private universities.
After the first group in 1899, students were sent abroad every two to three years until 1919, and annually from 1920 onward, with several students dispatched each time. Upon their return, they became faculty members at the college, engaging in research and teaching. Furthermore, arguing that academic reforms were necessary for Keio's development, they advocated for the importance of publishing, the adoption of a scholarship system, the establishment of a graduate school, and the need for public lectures. These proposals were adopted by the university authorities and students. Later, many of them assumed key positions at Keio, such as President, Trustees, and Deans, and Keio University's subsequent development was driven by them.
Thereafter, students were sent to study abroad almost every year until 1937, but from 1938 onward, the program was forced to be suspended due to the turmoil of war. After the war, the dispatch of students resumed in 1953 for the first time in 15 years and has continued to this day. Currently, in addition to this study abroad program, student hosting and exchange programs by foreign governments, universities, and public/private organizations, as well as individual study abroad, are actively pursued, contributing greatly to the academic promotion of Keio.