From August 3 to 7, Keio University and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) jointly held a student exchange program entitled “DEI as a Catalyst in Solving Global Challenges.” The program brought together eight undergraduate students from each institution as well as five Keio and four NTU professors.

The first two days of the program took place in Singapore and included talks by distinguished professors from NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, a student-led campus tour, and lively group discussions on the intersections of DEI and technology. Keio students also had the privilege of participating in a freshman orientation session, which offered them a glimpse into campus life at NTU. On August 4, students from both institutions spent time together off campus, visiting attractions such as Gardens by the Bay. Despite their short stay in Singapore, the Keio students were impressed by the rich tapestry of local culture.

Following their travel to Japan on August 5, the program resumed at Keio’s Yagami Campus on August 6. NTU students learned about Keio through a campus tour guided by Professor Norihisa Miki from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, as well as introductory talks by Keio students. Professor Miki also delivered a lecture on innovation through DEI initiatives, which inspired the students to develop or refine their presentation topics for the final day.

On August 7, we gathered at Shibuya QWS, where three mixed groups of Keio and NTU students presented their learning outcomes. Their topics included reducing educational inequalities, mitigating overcrowding on trains, and breaking down information barriers faced by foreign passengers in stations. The team that worked on educational inequalities received the Excellence Award in recognition of its focus, which closely aligned with the theme of DEI.

Through back-to-back visits to each institution, students deepened their friendships and reflected on DEI from both academic and personal perspectives.

“… Another unexpected outcome was the personal connections I made. I did not expect that such a short program could lead to such strong friendships and memorable experiences. This made me realize the value of international exchange not only academically, but also personally.”

— Keio student

“… I was also quite impressed by the way the Keio University campus visit was conducted. I learned about the history and explored different buildings and facilities across the campus. I was particularly impressed by how they strive to build an inclusive and supportive environment for their students by providing facilities for different needs and activities, even turning a small space into one that encourages innovation and collaboration.”

— NTU student