Message from the Deans

Keio University’s philosophy includes the phrase jiga sakko, or “creating history to define the future.” This expression embodies courage and a sense of mission, signifying the determination to venture into uncharted territory and persevere through hardships and trials to forge new paths.

Achieving this requires that each individual expands their imagination and adopts a mindset of pursuing truth. Furthermore, in uncharted territory, it is essential to consciously “establish a guiding direction to pioneer new paths,” to “persist in our efforts” even when faced with hardships and challenges, and “to recognize the value” in the phenomena discovered through that pioneering work.

This is interpreted as a reference to Zeng Guofan and is also consistent with Shizuka Shirakawa’s attitude of “aspiration, constancy, and discernment.” I believe that studying at the Faculty of Science and Technology and the Graduate School of Science and Technology will give as many people as possible the chance to take flight into the world.

The spirit of Keio University is encapsulated in the phrase “independence and self-respect.” First and foremost, each of us must act as an independent individual, upholding our own ideals and making decisions based on our own judgment and responsibility, rather than blindly following others.

Of course, the ideals that each person holds are by no means one and the same. However, when it comes to the opinions of independent individuals, we respect a wide range of differing views just as we would our own, and through discussion in an atmosphere of freedom, we pursue the ideals of our organization and society together. Building on diverse debates, Keio University has traditionally emphasized becoming leaders in society by taking initiative.

The ideal underlying education at the Faculty of Science and Technology is to develop scientists and engineers who not only possess advanced knowledge of science and technology but also think independently, make sound judgments, and act in a manner that upholds the dignity of both themselves and others. As such, we provide an environment where students can acquire the liberal arts education, specialized knowledge, and personal relationships necessary to broaden their horizons throughout their lives.

The Faculty of Science and Technology consists of 11 departments, but students are admitted under a broad-based entry system of “gateway fields,” without committing to a specific field of study at the first-year level. Students take not only foundational subjects for scientists and engineers (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, scientific experimentation, programming, and languages) but also general education courses (humanities and social sciences). This approach is grounded in the fundamental philosophy that has guided the Faculty of Science and Technology since its founding: “Education that is immediately useful quickly becomes obsolete.”

After gaining knowledge about specialized fields of study and the characteristics of each department, students independently assess their own interests and aptitudes when selecting their department in the second year. Each department offers a curriculum designed to build a solid foundation while allowing students to pursue more specialized courses. Also offered are general education courses for students in their third year and above, providing an opportunity for them to reflect, after acquiring knowledge in science and technology, on the moral and ethical standards expected of scientists and engineers. Upon advancing to the fourth year, students will select an academic advisor and begin working on their graduation research.

We also offer a wide range of programs for developing international talent. The general education courses include a Global Leadership Seminar where students discuss current affairs and academic topics in both Japanese and English. In addition to the standard curriculum, there are many international exchange programs such as short-term study abroad, exchange programs, and double degree programs, providing opportunities to view the world from an international perspective. The Faculty of Science and Technology Double Degree Program allows students to enter a prestigious French Grande École in science and engineering upon advancing to their third year of undergraduate studies. After studying alongside elite French students for two years, students then advance to Keio University’s Graduate School of Science and Technology, aiming to earn degrees from five universities. A variety of other opportunities are available for motivated undergraduate students to experience studying abroad, taking advantage of the fact that language proficiency at the start of the program is less critical for STEM fields than for the humanities. These include a training program at Germany’s top-tier RWTH Aachen University to study both German and engineering, credit transfer with summer sessions at European and American universities, and internships at U.S. companies.

First- and second-year students in the Faculty of Science and Technology attend classes at the Hiyoshi Campus alongside students from other faculties, while third- and fourth-year students and graduate students attend classes at the adjacent Yagami Campus. Taking advantage of this feature, courses are offered at the Hiyoshi Campus in which students from the Faculty of Science and Technology take classes alongside students from other faculties. At the Research Center for Foreign Language Education, students can take advanced English courses and various other foreign language subjects. Meanwhile, the Keio Research Center for the Liberal Arts offers courses in both Japanese and English for learning research paper writing and presentation skills, as well as various liberal arts courses covering culture, music, and the arts. Additionally, the Hiyoshi Campus serves as a hub for various extracurricular activities, hosting numerous academic, international exchange, arts, and sports clubs, with students from the Faculty of Science and Technology also participating.

In addition to those who have joined the Faculty of Science and Technology Athletic Association at the Yagami Campus, an increasing number of students from the Faculty of Science and Technology are also participating in university-wide athletic associations. In university life, building a broad network of friends is also important, and the Faculty of Science and Technology is blessed with an environment conducive to building diverse personal networks.

Approximately 70% of those who complete the undergraduate course go on to Keio University’s Graduate School of Science and Technology. The remaining 30% of graduates primarily pursue employment with private companies or continue their studies at other graduate schools in Japan, though an increasing number are also enrolling in prestigious graduate schools overseas. This reflects the high regard in which the education provided by Keio University’s Faculty of Science and Technology is held worldwide.

The Graduate School of Science and Technology consists of three schools, and all graduate students belong to one of these schools. However, in terms of the courses they take, students can independently design their curriculum from over 203 courses offered across the schools, focusing primarily on courses related to their main field of study. General education courses aimed at graduate students are also available.

At the Graduate School of Science and Technology, students will engage in cutting-edge research in laboratories. At shared facilities such as the Central Service Facilities for Science and Technology Research and the Manufacturing Center, various state-of-the-art instruments that support cutting-edge research are available for use. Furthermore, leveraging the advantages of a comprehensive university allows for the active pursuit of interdisciplinary research involving multiple faculties, such as medicine-pharmacy-technology collaboration and integrated humanities-science research. We are also promoting industry-government-academia collaboration centered on the Keio Leading-edge Laboratory of Science and Technology to ensure the societal application of research outcomes. Academic findings are published in top-tier academic journals and international conferences, with not only doctoral candidates but also master’s students participating in international conferences to present their work.

Experience in a world-class, cutting-edge research environment is essential for future success on the international stage. The Graduate School of Science and Technology has established the International Graduate Program for Advanced Science and Technology, which enables students to earn a degree by taking courses, conducting research, and writing a thesis entirely in English. This has enabled the establishment of double degree programs with many top European graduate schools in science and engineering. Graduate students can now engage in cutting-edge science and engineering research in an international environment at partner universities in Europe and receive degrees from five universities. Meanwhile, the enrollment of many outstanding graduate students from Europe in the Graduate School of Science and Technology has rapidly transformed the Yagami Campus into a more international environment.

Graduates of the Faculty of Science and Technology and the Graduate School of Science and Technology are active in various fields, including the industrial sector. As well as the Japanese companies that have traditionally been popular, more graduates are now finding employment with foreign companies in Japan and overseas, and it has become increasingly common for people to start their own businesses. Many graduates, primarily those who completed the doctoral program, have gone on to pursue successful careers as researchers at universities and research institutions in Japan and around the world. There are also those who pursue their ideals by taking on new challenges and building networks of collaborative partners.

Through the Mita-kai, Keio’s renowned alumni network, the Faculty of Science and Technology Alumni Association, and various other networks extending beyond the university itself, Keio broadens graduates’ options and opportunities for success worldwide. The Faculty of Science and Technology Alumni Association also provides financial support to undergraduate students through the Alumni Association Scholarship.

As science and technology advance, specialization continues to deepen. It is no longer sufficient to merely master one’s own field; the ability to build networks with people in other fields around the world and to view issues from a broad perspective has become vital. Moreover, in today’s world, where science and technology profoundly impact society, it is becoming increasingly important for those engaged in cutting-edge science and technology to possess a strong sense of ethics and morality. The Faculty of Science and Technology and the Graduate School of Science and Technology aim to produce graduates who pursue their ideals on the global stage with a spirit of independence and self-respect.