News

April 15, 2025

The Spring 2025 Undergraduate Entrance Ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 1, from 2 p.m., at the Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall. This spring, Keio University welcomed a total of 6,346 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.

Vice-President Yoshimitsu Matsuura began the ceremony by delivering the Incoming Class Report, followed by President Itoh's Welcome Address, where he introduced "The Mission of Keio University." President Itoh spoke to the students about the value of studying diligently and engaging in extracurricular activities to become leaders of society alongside the friends they make at Keio, as well as the importance of maintaining a spirit of independence and self-respect where each individual upholds their personal dignity as they aim high in their aspirations. He also discussed the life of Yukichi Fukuzawa, drawing from the Keio founder's autobiography. In his speech he encouraged the new students not to squander their late teens and twenties—a crucial period in determining one's trajectory in life—but instead to cast their gaze on the world at large, set their own pace, and learn and experience a variety of things while at the university.

After that, Professor Ippei Inoue from the Faculty of Letters delivered the Congratulatory Address on behalf of Keio's faculty and staff members. This was followed by the Matriculation Address, delivered by incoming student Koichi Tanabe of the School of Medicine. At the end of the ceremony, the alumni association from their graduating class, the 1975 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. Like them, the new students will undoubtedly also make lifelong friends as they pursue their academic studies and engage in extracurricular activities during their time at Keio.

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 1,773 students in the 14 graduate schools (1,249 master's, 338 doctoral, and 186 professional degree candidates).

Vice-President Yoshimitsu Matsuura began the ceremony by delivering the Incoming Class Report, followed by President Itoh's Welcome Address, where he stressed the need for students to develop the ability to think independently, exercise judgement, and find the truth on their own, rather than just following algorithms that claim to have just the right thing "recommended for you" or relying on "advanced AI-generated content." He finished his address by saying that he hopes the students will completely master their respective fields and use their time in graduate school to equip themselves with the knowledge that will allow them to rise above such technological trappings.

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 closing of the event marked the end of a memorable day where the bright, hopeful faces of new students and cherry blossoms in full bloom adorned Hiyoshi Campus.

Photo: Takeshi Kishi