Student Testimonials

This course covers fields that will require discussion in the coming era, including AI, which is rapidly expanding into our daily lives, as well as business and regenerative medicine. Students can gain cutting-edge, practical, and interactive learning from top leaders in various industries, so I highly recommend it to anyone interested in areas that have not yet been systematized as academic disciplines. Additionally, there are opportunities for cross-faculty discussions on each theme, making it a meaningful experience for students seeking proactive learning and those who wish to learn from multiple perspectives.

(4th year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

In this course, I was able to acquire diverse perspectives aimed at building a sustainable society and trust in preparation for an era of unprecedented social challenges, known as the '2040 Problem.' I had the opportunity for in-depth consideration, particularly through discussions with experts from various fields, on topics such as 'informational health' as a safeguard against risks from advancing AI technology and the importance of entrepreneurship. Through this learning, I feel I have cultivated the flexible thinking required in a complex future society and an attitude geared toward building relationships of trust with others.

(4th year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

In this course, I was able to learn directly from experts in various fields about the social issues we face now and in the future, as well as their potential solutions. Even without much prior knowledge, each lecture provided a thorough explanation from the basics, and there were opportunities to exchange opinions with fellow students to deepen our understanding, allowing me to learn without difficulty. As a member of society and as part of the generation that will shape the future, I strongly recommend this course to cultivate a broad perspective and an awareness of key issues.

(4th year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

One of the greatest benefits I gained from this course was the opportunity to explore a wide range of technology fields and gain insights from industry experts. Not only did I learn about emerging concepts that I had never encountered before, but I was also able to deepen my understanding of how these innovations impact various industries and our daily lives. This exposure has been incredibly valuable, as it provides a strong foundation for me to continue learning and researching topics of interest. Additionally, hearing firsthand experiences and inspiring stories from professionals in the field made the learning process more engaging and insightful. The practical applications of these technologies--whether in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and their economics effects--helped me realize how interconnected and essential they are in shaping the future. In today's world, where technology affects nearly every aspect of our personal and professional lives, having a broad yet structured introduction to these fields is essential. This course has encouraged me to be more proactive in keeping up with advances and understanding the underlying principles behind them.

(4th year, Faculty of Economics)

As an aspiring professional at the intersection of Finance and Technology, I feel like this course was highly beneficial to my future growth. I believe that the financial world cannot grow independently of technological advances, and that a successful member of this industry should be able to harness the power of technological innovation alongside foundational knowledge about markets. In that sense, this course provided me with a very holistic review of recent technological innovations as well as their potential applications and development. This was crucial, as I will be able to deepen my understanding independently on the topics that matters the most to my future growth.

(4th year, Faculty of Economics)

This course was beneficial to me because it gave me the opportunity to be exposed to diverse perspective and opinions from experts of various fields regarding computer science. Before taking this course, my understanding of the Internet including AI was limited to be from the viewpoint as a user, mainly focusing on its convenience only. However, this class allow me to have a better understanding by introducing its history, the stories behind its establishment, how it can benefit our society, and the importance of having concerns for the protection of data in an era where data has become incredibly valuable.

(4th year, Faculty of Business and Commerce)

This class, which specializes in active learning, was completely different from any other lecture I have taken at university, and I learned a great deal. It was excellent that we could learn the specific skills needed to take leadership through the instructor's lectures and then immediately have the opportunity to put them into practice. This allowed me to develop a practical understanding that went beyond mere formal knowledge. I hope to see more classes in this style at the university.

(2nd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

Through this class, I learned how to more effectively communicate to others what I want to achieve and the kind of society I want to help create. The class involved focused lectures and case studies based on those points. This allowed me to consider not just the knowledge itself, but how to apply it in practice and how to adapt it to my own situations.

(2nd year, Faculty of Economics)

In this course, we can learn directly from experts about the various challenges we face now and in the future, and their potential solutions. When considering problems that will intensify, such as AI, medical technology, and the internet, it might seem that a science-based background is necessary. However, the experts provided foundational lectures each time, and discussion sessions among students were also held, which allowed me, a student in a humanities faculty, to deepen my understanding without ever feeling left behind. As young people who will shape the future of Japan and the world, I strongly encourage you to take this course to develop an awareness of the issues facing society as a whole.

(3rd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

In this class, we examined social issues from the perspectives of 1) regenerative medicine, 2) AI, and 3) business, and considered what is required of us to restore 'trust.' I realized the importance of each individual confronting societal challenges and forming their own opinions. I believe the appeal of this class lies in its rich diversity. The opportunity to attend lectures by experts from various fields and to discuss with students from different faculties and academic years was extremely meaningful for broadening my own interests and scope of thought. I would recommend this course to students who want to think about contemporary social problems from multiple perspectives.

(2nd year, Graduate School of Media Design (KMD))

The appeal of this course is the ability to discuss various trending topics, such as regenerative medicine and AI, across disciplinary boundaries. I am conducting machine learning research in the Graduate School of Science and Technology, which is primarily basic research. This course dealt with the societal impact of AI and its business applications, giving me many insights into the connection between my research and society. For themes other than AI, there was ample time to listen to lectures from instructors with diverse backgrounds and then discuss them with fellow students. As I usually only interact with science and engineering faculty and students, the opportunity to exchange opinions with people from other fields was extremely valuable.

(1st year, School of Fundamental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology)

Through active dialogue with fellow students, I was able to deepen my learning from both theoretical and practical perspectives on what leadership is, how to acquire it, and how to exercise it. The course content, which allows for sharing opinions not only with students of diverse values from all faculties and years but also with faculty and TAs, truly embodies the Keio University spirit of "learning while teaching, teaching while learning." Furthermore, by inviting professionals active in society to the class, I was able to hear their valuable stories about leadership firsthand, which greatly broadened my perspective.

(3rd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

In this class, we went beyond simply defining 'what is leadership?' to consider our own leadership styles and cultivate the necessary skills through group work. A talk session with Manager Moribayashi of the Keio University High School baseball team and graduates of the Fukuzawa Bunmei Juku was also held, providing a great opportunity to think about the future. Professor Tamura's stories, interspersed with case studies, were very engaging. It was a fulfilling class that made me re-realize the importance of human connection and dialogue.

(1st year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

It feels more like a two-way street, where we can ask questions, share our thoughts, and really dive into the topics. It's made learning a lot more engaging and fun, and I feel like I'm getting a lot more out of it. Definitely a cool change of pace!

(3rd year, Faculty of Commerce)

I really enjoyed the class. Getting to hear from so many professors and professionals from all sorts of technological backgrounds talking about what they know really opened my eyes. It was interesting to see how different perspectives can change the way you think about things and expand your view on how current and future technology impacts our society. For example, many people reject the use of AI but Professor Irving Wladawsky-Berger said that AI is here to stay and it would be better for us to use it in order to not fall behind. It's definitely given me a lot to think about what is going on around me.

(3rd year, Faculty of Economics)

In this course, we can listen to lectures from experts in various fields about platforms, which can be considered a symbol of modern society. While the focus is often on the convenience that technology-driven platforms provide, this course also allows us to deepen our understanding of the challenges that arise from their formation. It is a class that makes you realize the importance of examining outdated systems and legal frameworks in the context of technology use, and of enhancing literacy and engaging in discussion.

(4th year, Faculty of Economics)

In this course, building on the platform economy knowledge from the spring semester, we can deepen our understanding of the current state and issues of platform utilization in countries around the world. Given that platforms themselves create economic zones that transcend national borders, I found it extremely meaningful and valuable to conduct analysis with a global perspective. We explored questions like: What kinds of systems are spreading in South Korea? What are the key issues in the EU? How will platformization advance in Southeast Asia? I am confident that deepening my learning from these core perspectives will be of great significance in my future, and I am very glad I took this course.

(3rd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

This course was ideal for acquiring the knowledge necessary for the future, covering topics like the space industry and AI, and it made me feel strongly that 'this is what university education should be.' By listening to various professionals, I feel I have gained the ability to view society from a broad perspective that I could not have obtained from my major alone. The in-class discussions allow you to fully satisfy your intellectual curiosity, so anyone seeking proactive learning or wanting to gain wide-ranging knowledge should take this course.

(4th year, Faculty of Economics)

In this course, you learn about the social problems arising from the information society and technological advancements, and you develop multifaceted thinking that considers the standpoints of stakeholders with different perspectives. It also provides opportunities to gain direct insights and knowledge from experts active on the front lines. Furthermore, you can deepen your understanding through lab tours and experiments that are not available in other classes. It is a meaningful course that allows students to delve deeply into the challenges and possibilities of the modern information society and connect that learning to future contributions.

(3rd year, Faculty of Business and Commerce)

By taking this course, I was able to deepen my understanding of subjects I wouldn't have been able to study within my own faculty. The discussions were particularly valuable, as I could exchange opinions with students from faculties I don't normally interact with, allowing me to consider the given themes from various perspectives. For example, in a class on the space industry, students from nursing, science and technology, and law came together, leading to a discussion from medical, biological, and international political viewpoints. It was a great opportunity to broaden my own thinking. I hope many students will take this course, regardless of their faculty.

(3rd year, Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care)

In this course, you can learn about the structure and issues of the current platform society from various perspectives, including law, economics, media, cashless payments, and the metaverse. The platform economy is the very system that is shaping the era we live in, and by deepening my knowledge through this course, I was able to re-examine the world today from a new perspective. Another major appeal of this course is that it actively encourages interactive discussions, allowing you to continue to deepen your learning based on your own opinions and questions, following your intellectual curiosity.

(3rd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

With the rise of generative AI and issues like the My Number card data leaks, platforms are a hot topic. In this course, you will learn about trends in the platform economy and its societal challenges from experts in many fields. Platforms are used by people of all ages and genders, with different backgrounds and specializations. Therefore, it is very meaningful to learn about coexistence with platforms and security risks from a multifaceted perspective. You will undoubtedly gain new perspectives that are not confined to your own field of study.

(4th year, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law)

The appeal of this course is that you can learn about platforms from various perspectives, such as law, economics, and media, transcending faculty boundaries. I was able to gain a lot of knowledge that I wouldn't learn in my usual faculty classes, and it was a class that gave me an opportunity to think about the challenges and social responsibilities of platformers. The discussion time at the end of each lecture is also one of its attractions. The questions from diverse students gave me new perspectives and made for a meaningful time to deepen my learning.

(4th year, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology)

In this course, we can learn about the '2040 Problem' that we will inevitably face in an interdisciplinary manner, and one of its major attractions is that it allows us to sublimate our understanding of our specialized fields learned in our respective faculty lectures. Also, lecture and question times are set up with various guests who lead modern society, such as experts and people from globally active companies, and I am confident that the lectures were more meaningful and fulfilling. It was a truly wonderful class, a kind of step beyond university lectures, that enables us university students, who will bear the future of Japanese society, to proactively face challenges, think, and work towards solutions.

(4th year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

Climate change, medical research, AI, etc... The environment surrounding our society is changing rapidly. In this course, we contemplate how to build 'trust' in a society of increasing uncertainty. 2040 may seem like the future, but in fact, it is a reality we will face. That is why the opportunity to 'see,' 'hear,' and 'discuss' the cutting edge of various industries in this course and develop our own ideas was extremely fortunate. As we are about to enter society—and in preparation for it—this is a truly recommended class.

(4th year, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law)

To confront the coming '2040 Problem,' this course explores the potential of society under the theme of building 'trust' for the future. Starting with an image of the 2040 society, we invited experts from a wide range of fields such as industry, environment, medicine, and AI as lecturers and took a multifaceted approach to the theme. The feature of this course is that it is not limited to listening to lectures and Q&A sessions, but also deepens understanding through activities such as panel discussions among experts, workshops for students, and even lab tours. It is a meaningful course for students of all faculties, as it allows them to deepen their learning in an interdisciplinary manner.

(2nd year, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology)

In this course, you can learn from experts in various countries about the situation and legal regulations of platforms in countries such as Thailand, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. You can understand the role of platforms in society, the problems they face, and the purpose of government regulations, as well as the commonalities and differences among countries, which also provided an opportunity to learn about foreign values and cultures. I think this is a very useful class for examining the problems and points for improvement of platforms in Japan.

(2nd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

I took this course following the spring semester. Today, platform businesses are emerging in all fields, not just IT. This class allows you to learn about the possibilities and problems they bring, as well as the challenges we currently face. In addition to top domestic professionals, many foreigners also gave lectures in this class. I was able to learn things that are difficult to obtain from Japanese information sources alone, and I was also able to feel that the wave of platform business is visiting all over the world. There was also a Q&A session after the class, and I was able to ask experts for answers that I couldn't get just by searching.

(3rd year, Faculty of Science and Technology)

In this course, you can learn comprehensively about various platform situations from Southeast Asia to Europe, and you can acquire the ability to think for yourself about the problems that may arise in the future. By learning the latest information that can only be known through this class, I was able to update my own thinking and consider what kind of revolution should be brought to the digital platforms I usually face. It was a very valuable opportunity to think while reviewing the Q&A with professors who are active globally.

(3rd year, Faculty of Economics)

In this course, you can think about the '2040 Problem' from a wide range of perspectives, including science and technology, medicine, society, and humanities, and consider specific issues and solutions. In addition, there is time for discussion among participants and with the lecturers each time, and by hearing various opinions and questions, I was able to further develop my own ideas. It is a valuable opportunity to study cutting-edge discussions on different themes each time, such as a symposium inviting famous professors and a tour of an artificial heart development site, so I recommend this course to students of any faculty.

(4th year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

Student Testimonial: What is necessary to create a good society? This course explores how to build 'trust,' which arises as one of the solutions. In the VUCA era, we tend to lose sight of what to 'trust.' Therefore, it is necessary to have a more solid judgment axis and to acquire thinking skills that are not swayed by change. By participating in the lively discussions of this course, you can increase the resolution of your own thoughts and cultivate a consistent and flexible way of thinking about complex social phenomena.

(4th year, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law)

The workshop session where I was able to derive my own solid conclusions using systems thinking, which is necessary to survive in a world that will become increasingly complex and drastically changing, not just a lecture themed on 2040, was particularly impressive to me. The year 2040 is an era that we, who are students now, will almost certainly face, and I was able to learn and think through lectures in all fields about what kind of events and problems are expected to occur in such an era, and what kind of countermeasures, abilities, and thinking are required for them.

(3rd year, Faculty of Business and Commerce)

In Fundamentals of Leadership, time was set aside for discussion among students in every class. The students taking the course were diverse in terms of academic year, faculty, and nationality, making the classroom a veritable 'microcosm of society.' Many heated discussions took place, such as hearing opinions I had not anticipated. Also, in the 'Dialogue with Leaders' segment, I was able to directly hear from people active in various fields and ask them questions, which provided many learning opportunities.

(3rd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

In 'Fundamentals of Leadership,' you can learn the dialogue skills necessary for leadership through lectures and group work, and the fact that you can learn not only from theory but also from practice is very attractive. In addition, I received a lot of stimulation from lectures on leadership by various teachers and from exchanges with students from different faculties and academic years. I think it is a class that should be taken regardless of faculty.

(1st year, Faculty of Science and Technology)

Through this course, I was able to hear cutting-edge case studies from people active at the forefront of various industries, including media, public health, metaverse, and fintech, which was a very meaningful time for me to broaden my knowledge. The theme set for each session was a problem that everyone will face in the near future, and the fact that we could have interactive discussions across faculty boundaries on these issues was a very valuable opportunity. It was one of the few classes where learning could lead to creating new 'opportunities' for oneself.

(3rd year, Faculty of Economics)

In this course, you can learn about the relationship between platforms and various fields such as law, economics, and public health. In each lecture, in addition to basic knowledge, the lecturers also explain the latest complex academic content and legal revisions, which are difficult for students to research on their own. As a result, it was possible to have down-to-earth discussions with the speakers and students from other faculties, transcending the boundaries of position and affiliation, and I was able to spend a fulfilling time.

(3rd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

This course examines various issues surrounding platforms from different perspectives such as law, economics, and ethics. Therefore, it is necessary to connect knowledge from various fields horizontally and organically, which may give the impression of being abstruse. However, in the class, you can acquire knowledge with a sense of satisfaction through interactive discussions with lecturers who are active at the forefront, so you can enjoy learning. It is a class where you can once again feel the 'joy of learning'.

(4th year, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law)

In this course, you can directly hear from people who are active at the forefront of various fields and domains that you don't usually get to hear about. You can also easily ask questions to the guest speakers, so you can resolve any questions about each individual theme on the spot and deepen your understanding. The theme is the 2040 problem, which we will have to face in the near future, and it is an enjoyable and participatory lecture where we consider how to solve various problems through digital technology innovation in an interactive manner between the lecturer and students.

(2nd year, Faculty of Economics)

It was an opportunity to comprehensively learn about and consider the expectations for 2040 brought about by digitalization, as well as the various social problems that are swelling with technological development. In addition, there are workshops, which are valuable opportunities to hear from experts and lecturers. Here, you can not only learn methods of approaching problem-solving but also gain new insights through the exchange of opinions among students across the boundaries of humanities and sciences. In this course, by hearing, thinking, and further discussing interesting talks on various topics, you can cultivate the ability to view things from various perspectives, and to visualize and verbalize your own thoughts.

(2nd year, Faculty of Science and Technology)

In this course, lectures are given across a wide range of fields, which serves as a basic physical strength for confronting the various issues that arise in an era where social problems are/will be caused by the potential of information technology groups. In addition, through dialogue among the participants, we also face the feelings of anxiety and hope that we have towards technology. From the rumination of logic and emotion that arises within you by taking this course, you will surely gain the strength to look directly at the pessimistic situation and say, 'Even so...'

(1st year, Doctoral Programs, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences)

It was fun and thoughtful. Every class we dug into real problems in our society after we were given frame of principles or theories by Tobias. This made it easier for me to understand the class because principles, theories and knowledges were linked in our real society so they were the door to my thoughts to society. They were applied so easier stuck in my head. Also Tobias gave us literatures about topics we were to discuss in the class. We could prepare for classes with them.

(1st year, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies)

I believe more students should take this seminar.

(3rd year, Faculty of Economics)

It was a well taught, informative seminar by two very highly skilled professors who luckily were also very motivated to let us benefit from their knowledge. The class style with only few students and interaction between them and the professors was the western style of teaching, which I prefer over the Japanese style. I learned many news things, that should have been obvious to me and I wish I had known earlier in life.　

The reason I continued to take this class in the fall semester after the spring semester is that I have a very strong interest in industry-academia collaboration, and I felt that this was embodied in this class. The fall semester was also very global, with not only Japanese but also overseas teachers giving lectures, which was very educational. It is thought that platforms in each country will become more and more powerful in the future, so I think this is a class that is at the forefront of trends.

(4th year, Faculty of Letters)

The appeal of this course is that you can hear valuable stories from professors and other researchers who are active overseas. Even if you can't speak Chinese or French, the lecturers translated what you wanted to hear, so there was an environment where you could easily ask questions and discuss. In addition, by comparing with the platform situation in foreign countries, you can learn about the problems of modern Japan from multiple perspectives, and at the same time, it was an opportunity to seriously think about what platforms should be and what measures should be taken to address the problems.

(3rd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

In this course, you can cultivate a panoramic perspective on platforms around the world by directly hearing from overseas researchers. Furthermore, it is not just about hearing the stories, but there is also ample time for Q&A with researchers and discussions based on the lecture content, and I felt that it was a course where you can acquire a detailed understanding of platforms. Although the course content has many discussions from a legal perspective, it is a very enjoyable course even for non-law students.

(4th year, Faculty of Science and Technology)

I took this course thinking that I wanted to apply what I learned in this class to my activities in the Athletic Association. I was able to attend lectures by various teachers on leadership every time, which gave me an opportunity to think about 'my own style of leadership.' In addition, there were many opportunities for discussion with other students, which was a good opportunity to broaden my perspective. In the future, I would like to make use of this learning to lead my club. I think it is an absolutely great place for those who seek self-growth, so I highly recommend taking it!

(3rd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

'Fundamentals of Leadership' broadly covers what each person should know to maximize teamwork and was a class that helped verbalize the qualities of a leader. Although I have experience studying abroad and in leadership, the class had a lot of content that explained the reasons behind my past experiences and methods to increase the reproducibility of things that went well. In addition, it was a fulfilling class with new values and learning. The fact that it was a group work style class, which is rare in Japanese classes, was also very attractive.

(4th year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

I found the content of the class very interesting and relevant for us and what is waiting for us in the future.

(4th year, Faculty of Economics)

I really enjoyed the course and it helped me learn more about the importance of cyber security and I realized the importance of discussing the topic more.

(3rd year, Faculty of Economics)

I decided to take the class because I thought I could encounter various views and perspectives which I cannot get in my faculty, and the result was very good for me.

(4th year, Faculty of Science and Technology)

I really appreciated the dichotomic approach between looking at the industry back then with Professor Farber and Professor Burgers take on the issues of now as a reoccurring theme throughout the course.

(3rd year, Faculty of Economics)

Although I knew many of the class topics, my knowledge on those were only surface level. Hearing Prof Burgers and Prof Farber go in depth with the subject and sharing stories had made this class one of my favorite classes that I attended at Keio.

(4th year, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies)

I was really able to learn many things though this class was not held in my first language. This class was really helpful for me to gain some hints to choose my course next year.

(1st year, Faculty of Science and Technology)

I felt the unparalleled appeal of this course in that it allows you to learn professionally from the perspective of the platform economy in all fields, such as law, media, and finance, without being confined to a specific field. In addition, it is not only about hearing from professors and practitioners active in each field, but it is also an interactive lecture where students can have discussions about what they have learned and what they have questioned. I thought it was a valuable time to be able to examine the problems of modern society more subjectively and objectively.

(3rd year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)

The appeal of this course lies in the fusion of practice and academic research. In each lecture, the issues in each field and the academic approaches to solving them were presented in the discussion between practitioners and researchers. All of the issues are things that must be solved for a sustainable life in the post-corona era, and I feel that by learning the cutting-edge discussions in this course, I have gained an important experience that will serve as a compass for solving those problems.

(4th year, Department of Law, Faculty of Law)