Gifu University held a COC+ (Center of Community Program for local revitalization) kickoff symposium on December 9, 2015. COC+ is a program of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and Gifu University's project was successfully selected for the program in 2015. The main purpose of this symposium is to communicate the efforts for the COC+ projects with the public and promote the projects further. About 240 people from universities, municipalities and companies attended the symposium.

First, Dr. Hideto Fukushi, Executive Director for Academic Research and Information, gave an opening speech. This was followed by the speeches of guests of honor: Mr. Hideki Niwa, former Senior Vice Minister of MEXT and a member of the House of Representatives; Mr. Yoshibumi Yamaguchi of the Higher Education Bureau of MEXT; and Mr. Toshiyuki Omatsu, Vice Chair of the Gifu Employers' Association and Chair of the Gifuken Internship Conference. They all touched on their high expectations for future COC+ projects.

Second, President Hisataka Moriwaki gave the keynote lecture titled "Gifu University, Hub University for Local Revitalization." In this lecture, President Moriwaki emphasized the significance of the University's efforts for fostering community-based human resources, by taking examples of problems in Japan and Gifu Prefecture such as population decline and the University alumni's low employment rate in Gifu Prefecture.

Third, Dr. Koichi Masukawa, Director of the Center for Collaborative Study with Community explained the outline of the University's COC+ projects. He stated that Gifu University will cooperate with Chubu Gakuin University & College, Chubu University, Nihon Fukushi University, Gifu Prefecture, the Gifu Employer's Association, the Juroku Bank, Ltd., the Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank, Ltd. and Mynavi Corporation to provide local job opportunities within Gifu Prefecture to students who finish their study at Gifu as well as those who wish to return to Gifu for employment through implementing common programs such as educational programs, company inspection tours and summer schools, with the hope of contributing to local revitalization.
Fourth, student presentations were made by Mr. Hidetaka Kuze, a fourth-year student of the Faculty of Education whose presentation was titled "Internship and Encounter with People," and Mr. Keigo Tanaka, a fourth-year student of Chubu University whose presentation was titled "One More Try at Gifu." They both spoke about what they acquired through internship programs and expressed their strong resolution to work in Gifu Prefecture.

Fifth, Visiting Professor Ruy Ramos delivered a special lecture titled "Courage and a Challenging Spirit will Transform the Community," and sent a strong message to students who seek to be leaders in the community.

Finally, Dr. Satoshi Ema, Executive Director for Academic and Affiliated School Affairs, gave the closing speech and the symposium ended with great success.