On 5 October 2026, Keio University hosted the Keio Double Degree Day 2026 (KDDD 2026) at its Yagami Campus in Yokohama, Japan. Organised in connection with the T.I.M.E. General Assembly held the previous week at Doshisha University in Kyoto, the event brought together universities, students, alumni, companies and institutional partners for a day dedicated to double degrees and international careers.
Around 200 participants attended the event, including approximately 70 representatives from the T.I.M.E. community, 50 representatives from companies, embassies and other universities, and 40 double degree alumni. Current international double degree students and Japanese students who had returned from their studies abroad also joined the event. In addition, 190 students participated in the Study Abroad & Global Career Fair.
Exploring study abroad and global career opportunities
The Study Abroad & Global Career Fair was one of the main highlights of the day. With 32 booths and 190 student visitors, it offered opportunities to discover international study programmes, learn about double degrees and explore career paths beyond Japan.
Representatives from 28 science and engineering universities, including 19 Keio partner institutions, presented their academic programmes and answered questions about studying abroad, campus life and double degree opportunities.
Students could also speak directly with peers who had already experienced international mobility. These conversations offered practical insights into preparing for a stay abroad, adapting to a different academic environment and navigating everyday life in another country.
Companies supporting the event, including L’Oréal Japan, Thales and the NSK Foundation, were also represented, providing opportunities for students to discuss international careers and the connections between academic mobility and professional development.
Sharing experiences between Japanese and international universities
Alongside the fair, participants had the opportunity to visit research laboratories at Keio University and learn more about its scientific and engineering activities.
A session led by representatives from Keio University and Yokohama National University focused on the practical implementation of double degree programmes with Japanese universities.
The presentations addressed programme structures, academic calendars, supervision arrangements and the coordination required between partner institutions. For visiting university representatives, these exchanges offered an opportunity to better understand how double degree cooperation works within the Japanese higher education context.
Double degrees beyond graduation: Alumni perspectives
The day continued with a networking reception, bringing together university representatives, students, alumni, companies and institutional partners.
The reception included remarks from H.E. Gilberto Jerónimo, Ambassador of Portugal to Japan, followed by testimonials from two former double degree students.
A special thank you to Charles Lepeut (Centrale Nantes – Keio University, 2009–2011) and #EllieTanaka (Keio University – École Centrale Marseille, now Centrale Méditerranée, 2012–2014).
Both spoke about the knowledge and perspectives they had gained, the impact of their international experiences on their professional and personal development, and the importance of the relationships formed during their studies.
More than a decade after their double degrees, their stories offered a particularly meaningful perspective on the lasting value of international education. Beyond academic qualifications, the experience of studying in another country had opened new opportunities and created connections that remained important long after graduation.
Bringing the T.I.M.E. community together
Keio Double Degree Day offered a different perspective on many of the topics discussed during the T.I.M.E. General Assembly in Kyoto.
While the meetings at Doshisha had focused on the development of international engineering education and the future of double degree programmes, the event at Keio brought these discussions closer to the students, graduates and companies directly involved.
For students, it was an opportunity to discover new possibilities and speak with people who had already taken part in international programmes. For universities and partners, it provided space to exchange experiences, strengthen existing relationships and explore future cooperation.
The T.I.M.E. Association would like to thank Keio University and its organising team for hosting the event, as well as all participating universities, companies, institutional partners, students and alumni for their contributions.
