Keio University held its Postgraduate Degree Conferring Ceremony at Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall on Tuesday, March 28, 2017. Keio University conferred a total of 1,667 degrees from its 14 graduate schools (204 doctoral, 1,288 master’s degrees, and 175 professional degrees) on the graduating class.
After Vice-President Akira Haseyama’s Graduating Class Report, the ceremony continued with President Seike's conferment of diplomas on a representative of Keio’s newest graduates from each graduate school, followed by his address. In his address, the president spoke of the importance of not only professional expertise, but also abilities that Yukichi Fukuzawa considered to be of great importance, namely public wisdom and being the guardian goose of society. In other words, this is the ability to evaluate what is important and to judge things and events from a long-term perspective. He also gave a speech in English for the international students among the graduates. Professor Ikuo Takahashi, a committee member of the Graduate School of Business and Commerce, then gave a congratulatory speech on behalf of the Keio faculty and staff. The ceremony ended with the singing of the Keio Alma Mater, "The Juku-ka," by all in attendance.
This year’s graduating class was a diverse group including international students, and graduates were of all ages and backgrounds. Many also brought their families along to Hiyoshi Campus to share in the special occasion. After the ceremony, graduates were conferred diplomas from their respective graduate schools, and took advantage of the sunny spring weather to take photographs. The campus was filled with a sense of celebration for their new start in life.