History of the Graduate Schools
1997/01/01
Published in "Juku," No. 202, 1997
Today, Keio University's graduate schools are widely known not only in Japan but throughout the world as large-scale "comprehensive graduate schools" covering a wide range of academic research in both the humanities and sciences.
But the history of its development to the present day has not always been a smooth one.
Here, we would like to look back at the process through which Keio's highest institution of learning has evolved.
The Dawn
In late 1902 (Meiji 35), the year after Yukichi Fukuzawa passed away, momentum grew to establish graduate schools at Keio University. Until then, Keio had primarily produced graduates who were active in the business world. However, voices began to emerge within Keio arguing that a university is an educational institution that supplies diverse human resources to society and should also train scholars, and students repeatedly submitted requests. The enthusiasm of students at the time for the establishment of graduate schools can be seen in the editorials of student magazines, such as "What is the So-called Overproduction of Scholars?" and "On Reforming the School System." Although the matter was put on hold at the Board of Councillors meeting in 1903, the establishment of graduate schools was once again on the agenda at the 4th meeting of the 7th term of the Board of Councillors in 1906 and was finally approved. In his article "We Must Unearth the Spirit of Research" (in Keio Gijuku Gakuho No. 101, the predecessor to today's "Mita-hyoron (official monthly journal published by Keio University Press)"), President Kamata at the time stated that the establishment of these graduate schools was to carry on the legacy of Yukichi Fukuzawa. He described its purpose and ideals: to abolish the bad practices seen in government-run schools, foster a spirit of free research, and cultivate individuals who would single-mindedly contribute to academic research, as well as those who could utilize their abundant knowledge and sufficient education in society.
The Graduate Schools During the War and President Koizumi's Views
The educational system of this highest institution of learning, which had seemed to be sailing smoothly, suffered a major setback under the educational policies of World War II, including a shortening of the years of study. In 1943 (Showa 18), the government implemented the "Special Research Students of Graduate Schools or Research Departments" system to focus on research directly related to strengthening military power. However, as this system was initially intended only for national universities, President Koizumi at the time submitted his "Views on the Graduate School Issue" to the Ministry of Education. In it, he argued that discrimination between national and private institutions would not lead to the development and expansion of graduate schools but would instead retard academic progress. This opinion is still highly regarded today for explaining the true nature of graduate schools and for boldly stating the position of private universities against the favoritism toward national universities. At the "Council on the Graduate School Issue" held in the same year, the presidents of national universities and the presidents of Keio and Waseda exchanged opinions, and among private universities, Keio and Waseda were approved to establish new graduate schools.
Birth of the New System Graduate Schools
After the war, various regulations on graduate schools were relaxed under the new political system, and in 1949 (Showa 24), the University Chartering Council established the "Guidelines for the Screening of Graduate School Establishment." Based on these standards, Keio University approved the establishment of its graduate schools at the 45th meeting of the 17th term of the Board of Councillors, and the new system graduate schools were launched the following year, in 1951 (Showa 26). At the time of their launch, there were five graduate schools: the Graduate School of Letters, the Graduate School of Economics, the Graduate School of Law, the Graduate School of Human Relations, and the Graduate School of Engineering.
New Moves Toward the 21st Century
Since their founding, Keio University's graduate schools have played a major role in Japan's academic research and graduate education as a leader among private university graduate schools. Even after becoming new system graduate schools, Keio has strived to revitalize the graduate schools as a whole by establishing and reorganizing graduate schools, majors, and programs to create a more enhanced educational and research environment. Today, they have grown into one of Japan's leading comprehensive graduate schools, boasting 9 graduate schools and 39 majors.
Furthermore, for the past several years, organizational reforms have been underway with the long-term goal of advancing and diversifying the graduate schools. At this stage, the reorganization of the Graduate School of Economics (1997) and the Graduate School of Science and Technology (2000) has been decided, and Keio University's graduate schools are undergoing major changes to realize a new vision for the highest institution of learning in the 21st century.
Year | Event |
|---|---|
1903 | ●The Board of Councillors (11th meeting, 6th term) deliberates on "The Matter of Establishing Graduate Schools," a proposal submitted by the President. |
1906 | ●The Board of Councillors (4th meeting, 7th term) approves the establishment of graduate schools and their regulations. |
1943 |
●Among private universities, Keio and Waseda establish graduate schools.
|
1944 | ●Student capacity is restricted due to wartime conditions, limited to only 10 students in Medicine. |
1945 | ●Student capacity is limited to science departments (7 in Medicine, 3 in Engineering). Second-term special research students include 2 in Economics and 5 in Medicine. |
1946 |
●Ministry of Education Ordinance
|
1949 | ●The University Chartering Council approves the "Graduate School Standards" and establishes the "Guidelines for the Establishment of Graduate Schools." |
1950 | ●The Board of Councillors (45th meeting, 17th term) approves and applies for the establishment of Keio's graduate schools. |
1951 | ●New system graduate schools are approved. Master's Programs (one year or more of study) are launched in the following graduate schools: Letters (Majors in Philosophy, History, Japanese Literature, English Literature, French Literature), Economics (Majors in Economic Theory, Economic History, Economic Policy, Public Finance and Banking, Business Administration and Accounting), Law (Majors in Civil Law, Political Science), Human Relations (Major in Sociology), and Engineering (Majors in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Chemistry). |
1953 | ●Doctoral Programs (three-year term) are established in the Graduate Schools of Letters (Majors in Philosophy, History, English Literature, French Literature), Economics (Major in Economics), Law (Majors in Civil Law, Political Science), Human Relations (Majors in Sociology, Psychology), and Engineering (Majors in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Chemistry). A Major in Psychology is added to the Master's Program of the Graduate School of Human Relations. |
1955 | ●A Major in Japanese Literature (Doctoral Program) is added to the Graduate School of Letters. |
1956 | ●The Graduate School of Medicine Doctoral Programs are established (Physiology, Pathology, Preventive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery). |
1957 | ●A Major in German Literature (Master's and Doctoral Programs) is added to the Graduate School of Letters. |
1961 |
●A Major in Education is added to the Graduate School of Human Relations (Master's Program).
|
1963 |
●A Major in Public Law (Master's and Doctoral Programs) is added to the Graduate School of Law.
|
1964 | ●A Major in Business Administration and Accounting is added to the Doctoral Programs of the Graduate School of Business and Commerce. |
1967 | ●A Major in Library and Information Science (Master's Program) is added to the Graduate School of Letters. |
1975 | ●A Major in Library and Information Science (Doctoral Program) and a Major in Chinese Literature (Master's Program) are added to the Graduate School of Letters. |
1976 | ●A five-year Doctoral Program and a Major in Mathematical Engineering are established in the Graduate School of Engineering. |
1977 | ●A Major in Chinese Literature (Doctoral Program) is added to the Graduate School of Letters. |
1978 | ●The Graduate School of Business Administration (Master's Program) is newly established. |
1985 | ●The Graduate School of Engineering is reorganized into the Graduate School of Science and Technology. Majors in Physics and Chemistry (Master's and Doctoral Programs) are newly established, and the Major in Mathematical Engineering is reorganized into the Major in Mathematical Sciences. |
1989 | ●Majors in Computer Science, Physical Chemistry, and Biomedical Engineering (Master's and Doctoral Programs) are established in the Graduate School of Science and Technology. |
1990 | ●Doctoral Programs are established in the Graduate School of Business Administration. |
1994 |
●A Major in Medical Sciences (Master's Program) is established in the Graduate School of Medicine.
|
1996 | ●The Graduate School of Media and Governance (Doctoral Program) is newly established. |