Two new dormitories, the Motosumiyoshi International Dormitory and the Tsunashima SST International Dormitory have opened this spring at Keio University.
The Motosumiyoshi International Dormitory is a four-story mixed dormitory with a total of 156 single-occupancy rooms, 60 of which are intended for the use of international students and 96 of which are for Japanese students. At the canteen, morning and evening meals will be provided, which will greatly support the health of students. In addition, there are shared spaces for cooking and dining on every floor, as well as message boards, which are among the facilities which will encourage daily interactions between international students and their Japanese compatriots. This is a highly convivial living environment with excellent access from Motosumiyoshi train station, and convenient access to large supermarkets as well as convenience stores for shopping in the vicinity.
The Tsunashima SST International Dormitory is a nine-story mixed dormitory facility for international students which has been newly established within the Tsunashima Sustainable Smart Town (SST), a next-generation urban-type smart city developed on industrial real estate of electronics manufacturer Panasonic. It has 163 single-occupancy rooms, 82 of which are for the use of international students and 81 of which are for Japanese students. While meals are not provided, shared kitchen and dining areas are available. The 9th floor free space allows panoramic views of the entire city and can be utilized as a venue for communication with fellow dormitory residents. Electricity for the dormitory is supplied by an energy center in the town, and Tsunashima SST is also uniquely characterized by being partially run on photovoltaic (solar) energy. It is anticipated that the exchange studio in the first-floor town management center will go on to become a base for collaborative research between Keio and Panasonic as well as with the local area. This studio is intended to be a hub for SST experimental facilities which will facilitate cutting-edge demonstration experiments.
Resident Assistants (RAs) for undergraduate and graduate students will implement support for the everyday lives of international students at both dormitories. RAs will also encourage exchange among Japanese and international students.
With the opening of the Motosumiyoshi International Dormitory and the Tsunashima SST International Dormitory, Keio University now has ten student dormitories with a total potential capacity of 1524 persons. There are ongoing plans to strategically maintain and expand Keio University’s international dormitories to ensure the seamless hosting of students from countries throughout the world, the numbers of which are increasing year-on-year, and to enhance Keio’s global outlook.