On November 5–6, 2025, the "Commemorative Symposium for the 20th Anniversary of the Double Degree Program in Keio Science and Technology - Looking Ahead to the Brain Circulation Ecosystem in 2040" was held at the G-Lab in the East Research Building on the Keio University Mita Campus. The symposium was conducted as part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) "Inter-University Exchange Project." Approximately 100 participants, including university officials from Japan and abroad as well as double degree program graduates, gathered over the two days for active discussions and networking.
On the first day of the symposium, following opening remarks by Toshiyuki Murakami, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Kohei Itoh, President of Keio University, and Kuniaki Sato, Director of the Higher Education Bureau at MEXT, three keynote speeches were delivered. The event looked back on the 20-year journey since the Graduate School of Science and Technology launched its master's double degree program with the Ecoles Centrales Group in France in 2005—which has since expanded to agreements with 17 schools, primarily in Europe, deepening education, research, and international exchange—while also discussing the outlook for building a "Brain Circulation" ecosystem toward 2040.
Keynote 1: "International Programs at Keio University Science and Technology: In Retrospect and Beyond" (Professor Shinnosuke Obi, Keio University Faculty of Science and Technology)
Keynote 2: "Significance of the French-Japanese International Collaborative Degree Program (Joint Program)" (Vice President Marie-Pierre Favre, Tohoku University)
Keynote 3: "Significance of International Joint Degree Programs － Trends and Challenges in ASEAN" (Vice President Romyen Kosaikanont, Mae Fah Luang University)
Panel Discussion: "Globalization, Jointness, and Quality Assurance" (Moderator: Professor Shinnosuke Obi, Keio University Faculty of Science and Technology; Panelists: Prof. Vincent Fremont, Ecole Centrale de Nantes; Prof. Mami Matsukawa, Doshisha University; Professor Norihisa Miki, Keio University Faculty of Science and Technology)
In addition, workshops titled "Cooperation with Industry and Brain Circulation Ecosystem" and "Student Service and Mobility" were held, featuring active exchanges of opinions among participants.
On the second day, a showcase was held where overseas partner schools of the Faculty of Science and Technology presented the latest trends regarding double degree programs.
IMT Mines Albi ／Prof. Philippe Lours
Instituto Superior Tecnico - University of Lisbon ／Mr. Ricardo Pinto
INSA Lyon ／Prof. Damien Fabregue
Warsaw University of Technology ／Prof. Teresa Zielinska
To conclude the symposium, a panel discussion titled "Double Degree Program at Keio University Science and Technology － Alumni and Students’ Perspectives" was held. The realistic and candid remarks based on the graduates' respective experiences further highlighted both the challenges and the potential of the double degree program.
Vice-President Motohiro Tsuchiya introduced Yukichi Fukuzawa's "Things Western (Seiyō Jijō)" and gave a closing address stating that the Juku will further promote international exchange. The two-day symposium then came to a successful close.
At the reception held after the closing of the second day, graduates active in various fields of society gathered from Japan and abroad to celebrate 20 years of the double degree program.
Through this symposium, participants deepened discussions on the future of international education and degree programs from the perspectives of educational institutions, students, and society, sharing a vision for building a new framework for global human resource development. Moving forward, the double degree program of the Faculty of Science and Technology and the Graduate School of Science and Technology will continue to evolve as a key part of global brain circulation.
Symposium Website: https://www.st.keio.ac.jp/en/symposium2025.html
Photography: Aki Takematsu, et al.