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April 11, 2024
The Spring 2024 Undergraduate Entrance Ceremony was held on Monday, April 1, from 2 p.m., at the Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall. This spring, Keio University welcomed a total of 6,407 students into 10 undergraduate faculties, including students entering the Japanese Language Program. The ceremony was held jointly with all faculties, bringing together new students and Keio alumni marking the 50th anniversary since their graduation.
The ceremony began with Vice-President Yoshimitsu Matsuura delivering the Incoming Class Report, followed by the Welcome Address by President Kohei Itoh, in which he introduced The Mission of Keio University. President Itoh emphasized the importance of learning together with faculty and friends during classes and extracurricular activities, actively working to acquire the ability of lifelong learning, and venturing out into the world, in order to become leaders for all society. He also encouraged students to enjoy their student life without harming the dignity of others, and to always keep the "torch of learning" burning in their hearts, referencing the second verse of the Juku-ka, Keio University's alma mater.
After that, Professor Naoya Kumagai from the Faculty of Pharmacy delivered the Congratulatory Address on behalf of Keio's faculty and staff members. This was followed by the Matriculation Address, delivered by incoming student Yuki Suzuki of the Faculty of Law. At the end of the ceremony, the alumni association from their graduating class, the 1974 Mita-kai, presented an inventory of items donated by the association and delivered a speech to the incoming students.
After the ceremony, the 50th Anniversary Reunion for Keio Alumni was held, attended by many alumni who could be seen catching up with one another and rekindling old friendships. We are confident that new students, too, will work hard on their academics and do their best in their extracurricular activities during their student life, and make lifelong friends who they can keep in contact with even after graduation and becoming Keio alumni.
In the morning on the same day, Keio University held its Graduate Entrance Ceremony at the same venue. This Spring Semester, Keio welcomed a total of 1,775 students in the 14 graduate schools (1,295 master's, 264 doctoral, and 216 professional degree candidates).
The ceremony began with Vice-President Yoshimitsu Matsuura delivering the Incoming Class Report, followed by the Welcome Address by President Kohei Itoh, in which he expressed his hopes and expectations for the new students, citing the ever-increasing need and value of scholars. He explained that in this age of AI, academics is of paramount importance due to the need for people who can excel in science and technology.
Following that, Associate Professor Yusuke Ozawa from the Graduate School of Health Management delivered the Congratulatory Address on behalf of Keio's faculty and staff members. In his speech, he stated that post-graduate studies can serve as a foundation for discovering what role one should play in society, overcoming the various challenges one will face in the future, as well as growing both academically and as an individual. He expressed his hopes that students will possess the courage to continue pursuing their dreams towards the future.
The ceremony concluded with a rendition of the alma mater "The Juku-ka" by the Wagner Society Orchestra, celebrating the new beginnings of the students together with their families in attendance at the venue.
The morning rain had cleared up, and under a blue sky, Hiyoshi Campus was filled with hopeful smiles.
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