Celebrating SFC's 20th Anniversary | Jiro Kokuryo (Dean, Faculty of Policy Management)

2010.04.16

The 20th anniversary ceremony and event for the campus's founding were held on April 4. The weather, which had been a concern, was mild, and as many as 2,300 people gathered for the occasion. I would like to once again express my heartfelt gratitude to the many people who came despite their busy schedules at the beginning of the fiscal year.

From the moment we decided to hold the ceremony, I felt that it should not be a day to simply look back on the past, but a day to talk about the future. I also believed that it should not be a day to talk only about SFC or Japan, but one where we must discuss how educational and research institutions should respond to global issues. And not in abstract terms, but by speaking of concrete actions.

In fact, I felt the real challenge was how many concrete plans I could talk about in the opening address of the ceremony, which I was in charge of. I had been developing these plans and holding various consultations (in other words, laying the groundwork) for months in advance. Thanks to these efforts, I was able to speak about various prospects, such as the residential educational and research facilities to be developed as the Miraisozojuku (Institute for Designing the Future); the five-year integrated undergraduate and graduate program for fostering global talent that we want to develop utilizing these facilities; the Japan research platform that will allow top researchers from around the world to conduct their research in Japan; and Keio University's cooperative framework for the "(tentative name) Committee for the Realization of the Izumino Line Extension." I was nervous in front of the many distinguished senior guests, and I could feel my own voice trembling as I gave my speech... Over the next six months or so, we will be developing these broadly sketched future concepts into concrete plans, with the participation of alumni and others.

Gathering in the plaza at the end of the event, which continued until just around dusk, and singing "Wakaki-chi" in a great chorus will be a memory I will cherish for a lifetime. It was SFC's 20th birthday, a day that reaffirmed my conviction that it is the power of youth that opens up the future.

Finally, to the faculty, staff, and students who worked so hard to run the ceremony and event: thank you for your efforts. Thank you.

(Posted: 2010/04/16)