Happy New Year!
I hope this year brings abundance, joy, happiness, and prosperity to every member of Gifu University.

First, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that occurred on January 1^st, and to those who lost their lives in the accident involving a Japan Coast Guard aircraft and a Japan Airlines aircraft at Haneda International Airport on January 2^nd. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by the earthquake and tragic airplane collision accident.

In response to the needs of the survivors of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, Gifu University dispatched a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), to the disaster-hit areas on January 2^nd. Since then, we have sent more teams, and our fourth one is currently providing medical care and engaging in relief efforts. We remain committed to providing long-term support and assistance to those affected by the devastations and ongoing emergency situation for as long as necessary.

I would also like to express my deep appreciation to the staff and faculty members of the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS), Nagoya University, and Gifu University for their painstaking efforts from the day of the earthquake to confirm the status of our facilities and the safety of students and staff. I should note that the members of University Hospital have been dealing with this large-scale, extreme emergency scale of emergency situations while conducting their day-to-day hospital operations. As President of Gifu University, I am very proud of your dedications to fulfilling individual duties and your conscientious efforts towards the well-being of Gifu residents.

Although Gifu University has not reported any major damage, I keenly feel the importance of preparing against major natural disasters, which may strike this country at any moment.

Now, as in previous years, I would like to reflect on our accomplishments and successes in the past year and share our goals and ambitions for 2024 and beyond.

Last year, the people of Japan were greatly encouraged by the extraordinary performances of Mr. Shohei Otani, the prominent US Major League Baseball player, who is known for being a two-way player. While watching his exceptional performances, many Japanese people have felt that we are finally beginning to see a bright future in the post-Corona era.

However, as Japan's population ages, there has been much discussion about what national universities can do to curb the continued decline in university enrollment. To minimize the impact of the aging society and depopulation, I believe that an active inter-university collaboration will assume a pivotal role in strengthening the university's research capabilities, bringing about more innovations, and increasing self-reliant.

In 2020, through the integration of two national universities, Nagoya University (Aichi Prefecture) and Gifu University (Gifu Prefecture), a completely new type of academic entity, the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS), was established. Since its establishment, THERS has been producing many positive results and accomplishments while constantly aspiring to become a new role model for community-based universities in Japan.

THERS' major mission statement is: "Make New Standards for The Public - As a commons of knowledge and innovation, our raison d'etre is to constantly reform national universities and to continue contributing to the progress of the community and society," With this mission borne deep in mind, Gifu University has set its own goal to become the best regional hub university in Japan, bolstered by a strong collaboration between local governments and businesses. We aim to vigorously tackle regional problems and spark innovations for people and society.

Last year marked the second year of my six-year term as President of Gifu University. It was a year in which I worked constantly to build a solid foundation for the university. Under my leadership, each member of the university remains committed to enhancing the university's research capabilities and securing more external funds, which are indispensable for reinforcing this foundation.

Thanks to the strenuous efforts by all concerned, Gifu University was able to obtain six government grants and subsidies over the past two years, which were used to develop the university's multiple research bases. Of these, the Human Glycome Atlas Project (HGA), implemented by the Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), has been strongly promoted as the first of the MEXT¹-approved Projects to Promote Large Scientific Frontiers in the field of life sciences.
In 2022, Gifu University was selected for MEXT's Human Resource Development for Regional Revitalization: Supereminent Program for Activating Regional Collaboration (SPARC) and since then, the university has been carrying out the Gifu Region Human Resource Development Program: to establish academic infrastructure for regional revitalization (SPARC-GIFU).
In terms of research and industry-academia collaboration, a new industry-academia fusion base called, Tokai Open Innovation Complex (TOIC), will soon commence operations.

We have also received government funding to generate a state-of-the-art aerospace business cluster in the central Tokai region. Other government-approved grants include the Cabinet Office's innovation creation promotion projects and MEXT's management reform subsidies.

In the area of international relations, Gifu University was selected to implement MEXT's Inter-Government Exchange Project in 2022. By initiating Gifu University's unique international exchange projects, we have been actively promoting a wide range of interactions with our overseas partner universities in order to enhance our global presence.

Looking back on the past year at Gifu University, it was a busy year with a number of notable events taking place. These include the completion of the iGCORE Gifu Research Building, MEXT Minister, Ms. NAGAOKA Keiko's visit to Gifu University, a courtesy visit by H.E. Mr. Rachad BOUHLAL, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco to Japan, welcoming the delegations from two overseas sister universities, the University of Lille (France) and Mariano Marcos State University (the Philippines), opening of the Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research, hosting a Gifu Space Project Study Meeting for Gifu University and senior high schools, the 100th anniversary of the Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, continued implementation of SPARC programs, and completion of the TOIC Gifu University building.

Now, on this fourth New Year's Day since the launch of THERS, I would like to highlight four major accomplishments that we have achieved.

1.Research Expansion

The amount of funds that Gifu University has received from the private sector has been increasing year-on-year since 2018. Accordingly, the number of joint research and funded research has been constantly rising at Gifu University.

2.Strong Growth through Five Collaborative Base Support Programs

By reinforcing its collaborative bases, Gifu University has been successfully bolstering research capabilities and increasing its brand value. Last year, THERS was newly recognized as the 11^th collaborative base in Japan (Quantum Technology Innovation Center) by the Cabinet Office.

3.Launching of New Projects by Diversifying University's Financial Resources, including Issuance of University Bonds

In June 2023, THERS issued the first "THERS Commons Bonds." By issuing the bonds, THERS are supporting the activities being financed by Nagoya and Gifu universities' funds. There was a notable increase in the number of industry-academia projects and donations received by Gifu University between 2012 and 2020.
Additionally, Gifu University has established the Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research whose major mission is to develop new forms of medical and therapeutic interventions and treatment for humans and animals. The university has also established the Tokai Open Innovation Complex Gifu Site as a regional open innovation center. We are confident that that the complex will attract more external funding for the university.

4.Improvement of Learning Environment by Strengthening Educational Infrastructure, which has enabled us to;

• integrate the Learning Management System (LMS),
• expand the number of courses offered jointly by Nagoya and Gifu universities from 10 to 34
• establish a "status system" that allows students to self-evaluate their performances at both universities (Gifu University began operating the system in 2023).

I hope we can share the benefits of all the positive outcomes and successful achievements by THERS and Gifu University with our stakeholders.

Finally, I would like to discuss our goals and visions for 2024.
First, we are aiming to be selected for Program for Forming Japan's Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS) by MEXT. Under this program, we will focus on the field of manufacturing, where Gifu University enjoys a significant competitive edge. Additionally, we will leverage cutting-edge aerospace manufacturing technology to develop advanced metal molds, new materials, power generation, and research on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. These efforts will be a driving force towards the realization of "Society 5.0."²

Second, we aim to attract more students to enroll in our four international Joint Degree Programs (JDP) that offer a student one degree from multiple universities. Through continued implementation of these programs, we are providing consistent support for international and Japanese students in finding employment in the Gifu region.

Third, we pledge to create an academic environment in which our students can learn in a relaxed environment, and nurture human resources comprised of people who are work-ready and responsible members of society. Furthermore, we will continue to foster strong ties with our overseas partner universities and organizations to enhance our global presence in academia and business communities. We will also provide consistent support for master's and doctoral programs students in their pursuit of successful business or academic careers after graduation.

I believe we should build on the achievements from our efforts to date to embody our new mission, "Migration, Laboratory, Innovation, Education (MLIE)," especially in the areas of "manufacturing," "life sciences," and "environment and energy." Under this mission, we are working diligently to create a virtuous circle between innovations that are fueled by robust research capabilities and the robust growth of the regional economy.

I have many requests for you, the faculty, staff, and stakeholders of Gifu University. We must go the extra mile to achieve further development of Gifu University in 2024. I would be grateful for your kind assistance and continued support towards our goals and visions for 2024.

Let me conclude my New Year's greetings by wishing all of you a wonderful year.

January 9, 2024
YOSHIDA Kazuhiro
President, Gifu University

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• 1) Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
• 2) Society 5.0 is the next stage of society after the hunter-gatherer society (Society 1.0), farming society (Society 2.0), industrial society (Society 3.0), and information society (Society 4.0). In the Internet of Things, which links humans and objects, various types of knowledge and information are shared so that value that did not exist previously is generated. The aim is both economic development and the resolution of social problems. Society 5.0 was put forward by the Japanese Cabinet in 2016 in the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan" per MEXT.