◆ Inheriting the Legacy of the Osaka-Kansai Expo for the Future ◆ Kansai University Begins Renovation of Student Hall — Featuring a New Entrance Recreating Part of the 'Oyane Ring'

Kansai University has now initiated a renovation plan for the 'Seishikan' (Seishikan Group), a student hall complex that has long served as a base for extracurricular activities. In this project, timber used in the 'Oyane Ring,' the symbol of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, will be repurposed to create a new entrance space. By integrating the Expo's legacy into students' everyday campus environment, the university aims to establish a new student hub that fosters diverse learning and interaction, with completion targeted for March 2029 (planned).

【Key Points of the Project】

・ Construction of a new student hall with 11 above-ground floors, approximately 45 meters in height, and a total floor area of about 22,000 m²

・ Creation of an exchange hub where all students can gather, interact, and generate new challenges and value

・ Recreation of part of the 'Oyane Ring,' the symbol of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, to inherit its philosophy, values, and memories

Renewal of the 'Seishikan' as a New Hub for Extracurricular Activities

The Seishikan complex serves as a base for extracurricular groups such as cultural clubs, academic research societies, and athletic clubs. Currently, Buildings No. 2 through No. 8 are located on the Senriyama Campus. Among them, Buildings No. 2, No. 3, and No. 5 were constructed over half a century ago, and facility deterioration and insufficient activity space have become pressing issues. To enhance the educational environment that fosters students' autonomy and social development, the university is proceeding with the renovation plan.

'Campus Core' — A Space for Diverse Encounters and Value Creation

The new facility's concept is the 'Active Green Hill Campus.' It will be a steel-framed building with approximately 3,100 m² of footprint, about 22,000 m² of total floor area, approximately 45 meters in height, and 11 above-ground floors. The facility will feature a symbolic entrance space, a training gym, shared lecture rooms, activity spaces for music and sports, club rooms, and activity bases — all accessible to students and staff regardless of extracurricular involvement. This environment is designed to bring together diverse individuals and activities, fostering new encounters, challenges, and the creation of new value.

Inheriting the Philosophy and Memory of the Osaka-Kansai Expo into the Future

A major feature of this project is the recreation of part of the 'Oyane Ring,' the symbol of the Osaka-Kansai Expo. In the new facility, the timber from the Oyane Ring will be used in the entrance space — the starting point of the circulation route — to inherit the ring's philosophy of 'diverse yet united.' By reusing the timber, the university aims to pass on the value and memory of the Expo to the next generation even after its dismantling, while also practicing a circular economy that contributes to resource recycling and reduced environmental impact. Furthermore, the project will promote the use of domestic timber and regional revitalization, advancing the university's commitment to the SDGs.

▼ Comment from President Tomoyuki Takahashi

"The Seishikan is a place where students meet and generate new challenges and learning. In this project, we aim to create an environment where diverse students, regardless of extracurricular involvement, can gather, interact, and grow. Kansai University has participated in the Osaka-Kansai Expo in various ways, including education, research, and student activities. We will now carry forward its philosophy and experiences into everyday campus life, connecting them to the growth of the next generation and the creation of new value."

▼ Comment from Chairman Keiji Shibai

"The Oyane Ring, symbol of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, embodies the important philosophy of 'diverse yet united.' We at Kansai University aim to ensure that this philosophy and memory do not remain temporary, but are passed on to the future through education. We also hope this space will allow not only students but also many visitors to the Expo to feel its value. We expect this initiative to become a new model for inheriting the Expo's legacy."

＜Project Overview＞

Project Name

Seishikan Group Renovation Plan

Location

Kansai University Senriyama Campus (3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture)

Floors

11 above-ground floors

Height

Approx. 45 m

Building Area

Approx. 3,100 m²

Total Floor Area

Approx. 22,000 m²

Main Functions

Entrance recreating part of the Oyane Ring, training gym, shared lecture spaces, music and sports activity functions, club rooms and activity bases

Demolition Work

Scheduled for completion within FY2026

Construction Start

Planned for April 2027

Completion

Planned for March 2029