Since 2003, Gifu University has been a supporting organization for the Project for Capacity Development of the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology (CADEFEST), the National University of Timor-Leste of JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).

Over a five week period that started on July 7, the project's short-term training session in Japan was held at Gifu University. Two Engineering Faculty members from the National University of Timor-Leste, Dr. Cancio Monteiro and Mr. Joao Cabral, received training and guidance under the supervision of Associate Professor Hiroki Yoshida and Associate Professor Yasuhiro Takahashi of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Division, Faculty of Engineering. Before the trainees returned to their country, a meeting was held on August 5 at the Faculty of Engineering building to present the results of the training.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Daisuke Ueda, Director of the Technical and Higher Education Team, JICA; Mr. Atsushi Tsujimoto, Program Officer of the same team, JICA; Dr. Hidehiko Kazama, Chief Advisor to CADEFEST; and Ms. Azusa Tsuruta, Program Officer of the Training Program Division, JICA Chubu. In addition, approximately twenty faculty members and students of Gifu University were present at the meeting.
Dr. Monteiro and Mr. Cabral made presentations of their training outcomes at Gifu University and fielded questions from the attendees. They expressed their appreciation for the university's cooperation during their stay.
Following the presentations, Mr. Ueda awarded the two trainees with a certificate of completion and strongly encouraged them to apply the insights from their training at Gifu University to their teaching and research activities at the National University of Timor-Leste.

Prior to the meeting, Dr. Keitetsu Rokugo, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, together with Dr. Shuichi Nonomura and Dr. Shigeki Imao, the two Vice Deans of the Faculty of Engineering, met with JICA to exchange opinions on the future of cooperation and support for the project.