On Thursday, September 24, following a period of poor weather, the 2026 September Entrance Ceremony for undergraduate and graduate students was held at the West School Building Hall on Mita Campus under clear and refreshing autumn skies.
This year, a total of 552 students entered the university in September. This includes 296 students in the undergraduate faculties and the Japanese Language Program (109 in the Faculty of Economics, 6 in the Faculty of Law, 36 in the Faculty of Policy Management, 47 in the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, and 98 in the Japanese Language Program) and 256 students in the graduate schools (172 in Master's Programs, 72 in Doctoral Programs, and 12 in Professional Degree Programs).
Families from Japan and abroad, as well as international students who had already begun to form bonds in their student dormitories, gathered at the venue with bright expressions. The campus was filled with a warm atmosphere of celebration even before the ceremony began.
The ceremony began with a report on academic affairs by Vice-President Yoshimitsu Matsuura, followed by an address from President Kohei Itoh. President Itoh introduced The Mission of Keio University and the journey of Yukichi Fukuzawa, who opened up a new era through tireless effort. He spoke about the importance of taking the time to learn and raising one's aspirations without rushing, even in the modern age where a wealth of knowledge and technology is readily available. Furthermore, he touched upon the realization of a human-centric AI campus and encouraged the new students to utilize AI independently and critically, to examine its results, and to face questions that have no right answer while exercising their own creativity.
Next, Associate Professor Vu, Le Thao Chi of the Faculty of Policy Management delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of the faculty and staff. She explained the importance of not being satisfied with answers easily obtained from AI, but rather valuing the process of learning through interaction with faculty and peers, and facing the uncertainty that arises from continuous questioning. She also spoke about the importance of trusting others and becoming a person worthy of trust through learning and dialogue.
Finally, Hope Chawala Banda, a student at the Graduate School of Media Design (KMD), delivered the matriculation address as the representative of the new students. Touching on his own experience as an international student from Malawi, he spoke about the significance of learning together with peers who have walked different paths in life. He emphasized that even in an era of technological progress, human wisdom is essential for building trust across cultures and realizing a compassionate society. He expressed his determination to use his learning at Keio University not only for himself but also for the people around him and for society.
At the end of the ceremony, all attendees sang the Juku-ka, led by the student organization Gakuyukai. The ceremony concluded successfully as the entire venue remained enveloped in a peaceful atmosphere.
On campus after the ceremony, many new students were seen smiling for cameras in front of the historic school buildings and commemorative signs. The sight of them smiling and exchanging words with their families and newly met classmates conveyed their excitement for the studies at Keio University that are about to begin. There are high expectations for the future growth and success of these new students as they take their first steps forward with their own individual aspirations.
Photography: Aki Takematsu