2022 New Year's Greetings from the President
The year 2022 has just begun in the midst of the continuing Covid pandemic. In the face of enormous constraints imposed by the crisis during the past two years, we have been doing our utmost to fulfill our prime mission of advancing higher education and contributing to society. I firmly believe that our persistent and fervent efforts are now coming into fruition in the form of smooth transition to digitalization and innovations in education that are taking place both on and off campus. Gifu University marks a new chapter in history by implementing the 4th Mid-Term Goals1) from April 1, 2022 under the 13th President of Gifu University, Dr. Kazuhiro Yoshida's new leadership. While we look forward with great anticipation on the verge of beginning a new chapter in our university's history, I would like to reflect on some memorable events in 2021 and share with you my visions for 2022.
1) 1st Mid-Term Goals from 2004 to 2009, 2nd Mid-Term Goals from 2010 to 2015, 3rd Mid-Term Goals from 2016 to 2021
Tokai National Higher Education and Research System
On April 1, 2020, the new national university corporation, "Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS)" was launched, integrating Gifu University and Nagoya University into a single framework. Gifu University is now officially called, "Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, Gifu University." Beginning from April 1, 2022, implementation of the 4th Mid-Term Goals will be spearheaded by the strong leadership of Dr. Seiichi Matsuo (Chancellor of THERS), Dr. Naoshi Sugiyama (President of Nagoya University) and Dr. Kazuhiro Yoshida (President of Gifu University). Under the concept, "Regions for the World, and the World for the Regions," Gifu University has been striving to establish ourselves as the core base for regional revitalization, as well as demonstrate our academic prowess and attest our significant advantages both at home and abroad by establishing a reputation as an educational and research hub for Japan and the world. Under the wider academic framework instituted by THERS, we have been committed to developing "Academic Central" and four other core educational and research centers, namely the "Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE)," "Center for Healthcare Information Technology (C-HiT)," "Aerospace Research and Education Hub (AREH)," and "Education and Research Institute for Agricultural Sciences."
Major Projects of THERS in 2021
Active progress has been evident thus far in every initiative implemented by "Academic Central" and the abovementioned four centers. Notably, the building complex of Intelligent Production Technology Research & Development Center for Aerospace was successfully completed on Yanagido Campus, Gifu University and commenced its operations in April 2021. In addition, iGCORE was designated as a "joint use, joint research base" in Japan by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in October 2021. Its building construction started on November 8, 2021 also on Yanagido Campus and is scheduled for completion this year.
Gifu University's Unique Education and Research Activities
Next, I would like to share three exciting new developments. First, in the master's program initiated on April 1, 2020 by the Health Professions Education of Graduate School of Medicine, where our first and second year students with outstanding academic records and diverse backgrounds are already enrolled in (It's worth pointing out that only one in every 2.3 applicants was selected in the admissions screening process for both the first and second year students). Because of the distinctive and unique nature of the program, expectations are high for these dedicated aspiring students in public health and safety in the near future. On November 19, 2021, Gifu University successfully met the criteria for new program establishment plan implementation status2) set by the Higher Education Bureau of MEXT. The establishment of the new School of Social System Management on April 1, 2021 was promoted by strong demand from various sectors in our local communities. After completing all the course requirements, students will be conferred a bachelor's degree in business management. With the support from Nagoya University, the School provides students the opportunity to learn unique community-based business management models and practices. Its innovative "assignment-exploration" programs encourage students to venture outside of campus and take self-initiatives to pursue their own fields of interests. This newly launched School of Social System Management is currently one of the most vibrant, thriving departments at Gifu University. Additionally, students from both Gifu University and Nagoya University studying at AREH are equally engaged in their studies but in informal settings where they mingle and exchange their views to espouse the challenges of a new era and spur innovations.
2) English name tentative
Desirable Balance between In-Person and Online Learning ("e-Learning")
The Covid vaccine rollout campaign for our students and staff was concluded in August 2021 resulting in an overall vaccination ratio of 80% (which included students and staff of Gifu Pharmaceutical University located on the same campus premises). Owing to the successful vaccine rollout, resumption of fully in-person classes was phased in from the second semester in 2021. Multiple survey analyses showed that there were no significant differences impacting the level of student learning between remote learning and in-person classes. However, students' level of satisfaction with in-person classes is much higher than e-learning (as a matter of fact, the survey responses indicated a "r=0.9" percentage score for in-person instruction and student satisfaction). In response to the strong demand for more in-person classes, we will continue to respond to their needs. Simultaneously, we are also committed to enhancing the contents of e-learning classes in order to provide our students an equally satisfying learning experience in that platform. We are convinced that the enrichment of the remote learning experience will be an impetus for inducing more dynamic educational innovations in the future. In this regard, additional research is still imperative to obtain solid scientific data to gauge possible impacts of the type of course delivery on the quality of student learning and level of satisfaction. It will take a few more years that we can reach a conclusion on the appropriate balance between online and traditional classroom learning.
Major Forthcoming Events in 2022
If the pandemic subsides in 2022, the building construction for iGCORE's "joint use and joint research hub" will be finalized and go into operation as planned. Furthermore, the implementation of multiple projects of Academic Central and other four core educational and research centers are in place for 2022. It is our sincere hope that these small but sure steps taken will progressively result in a quantum leap for both THERS and Gifu University in 2022.
I would like to conclude my new year's greetings by wishing you the very best in 2022.
