On March 2 and 3, 2017, United Graduate School of Agricultural Science (UGSAS) of Gifu University held a "Natural Products Chemistry International Symposium" at Gifu University.
The symposium was convened as part of International Consortium of Universities in South and Southeast Asia for the Doctoral Education in Agricultural Science and Biotechnology (IC-GU12) programs. Its major objectives are to build an extensive research network in natural products chemistry and life science, and to promote international cooperation aiming for robust and active social contribution.

On March 2, Professor Masateru Senge, Dean of UGSAS gave an opening speech, which was followed by a welcome message from Dr. Fumiaki Suzuki, Executive Director for International Affairs and Public Relations. Next, Professor Tohru Mitsunaga (also of UGSAS) introduced the background and purposes of the symposium to the audience.

Later, ten international researchers of Gifu University (university professors from Indonesia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Bangladesh and Canada), one researcher from Kyushu University, and one researcher from Ichimaru-Pharcos Co., Ltd. of Industry Subcommittee^* made presentations about their latest achievements. Afterward, lively opinion exchange between the speakers and the audience (about 45 people) contined for some time.

On March 3, the participants visited Ichimaru-Pharcos Co., Ltd. (Motosu City, Gifu Prefecture), a major research and development base for natural raw material. The participants were invited to inspect laboratories and they shared the most up-to-date information concerning the themes of raw materials. The symposium ended with great success as an exchange program pursuing globalization.

The symposium was organized with support from Gifu Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The following are the names of speakers, nationalities and an affiliation:

[Indonesia]: Assis. Prof. Mohamad Rafi，Assis. Prof. Tuty Anggraini
　　　　　　　Assis. Prof. Venty Suryanti, Assis. Prof. Harlinda Kuspradini,
　　　　　　　Assoc. Prof. Irmanida Batubara
[Thailand]: Assoc. Prof. Khanitha Pudhom， Assis. Prof. Warinthorn Chavasiri
[Viet Nam]: Senior Lect. Do Thi Hoa Vien
[Bangladesh]: Assoc. Prof. Shamsun Nahar Khan
[Canada]: Prof. Derrick L.J. Clive
[Japan]: Assoc. Prof. Kuniyoshi Shimizu
[Ichimaru-Pharcos Co.Ltd, Gifu, Japan]: Dr. Arunasiri Iddamalgoda

^*Industry Subcommittee:
Composed of seven companies in the Tokai Region specializing in biological and biotechnological research and development. Its founding objective is to foster highly-skilled professionals