A ceremony to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the 2008 founding of the Keio University Graduate School of System Design and Management (SDM) was held on Sunday, May 13.
The ceremony was conducted in celebratory spirits at the Fujiwara Hiroshi Hall located in the Collaboration Complex on Hiyoshi Campus, and the venue was packed to near capacity with around 400 enthusiastic attendees. At the ceremony, President Akira Haseyama, Provost Tojiro Aoyama, Dr. Yuichiro Anzai, President of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (former President of Keio University), Mrs. Rumi Kurita, Chief of Kohoku Ward, Yokohama City, and other officials met and spoke about their expectations for SDM with messages of congratulations from six testimonial donors.
Engaging debates were seen in the latter half of the ceremony at two panel discussions on the contributions of SDM from the perspectives of "the future of education" and "the future of society," with showings from educators, students and alumni representatives alike, to share ideas on the potential of SDM to change the world with those in attendance. In addition, a "10 years of SDM Commemorative Photobook," which was planned and compiled by volunteer students and alumni, was distributed at the venue and became a talking-point.
A colorful array of special events, including laboratory poster sessions, project and joint research booths, workshops for children, and interactive SDM events hosted by supporters and students were held before and after the ceremony, taking over the entire second floor of the Collaboration Complex. A diverse range of attendees from children to senior citizens contributed to a lively event.
A get-together was held for interested parties on the night, with around 300 people gathering in the event hall of the Collaboration Complex. The event was drawn to a successful conclusion following lively proceedings throughout the day, with the commemorations serving as a platform for the exchange of amiable reminiscences on the progress of the past ten years and pledges to renew efforts towards further development.
Planning and management of the commemorative event was not limited to faculty and staff members but also saw the participation of over 70 student and alumni volunteers. The six-month planning process for the event facilitated mutual appreciation of SDM’s achievements over the last ten years, as well as an opportunity to explore the future of SDM.