To all our new students, congratulations on your admission to Gifu University. We are extremely pleased to have 1,326 new undergraduate students and 668 graduate students join our campus this year. I am grateful to share this new beginning with all of you, as we commence a new chapter in our lives.
　Over the past three years, since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, we have all grappled with various restrictions in our daily lives. It is likely that many students here have encountered class cancelations, experiment suspensions, and disruptions to extracurricular activities during these challenging years. Globally, many people are also being profoundly affected by a series of unpredictable events and disasters, including climate change, regional conflicts and other world-changing crises. However, even this unprecedented combination of adversities has failed to break your determination to advance to graduate school at our university. Your unwavering resilience and adaptability have allowed you to navigate from one challenge to another and your capacity to attain remarkable results is genuinely praiseworthy.

　Gifu University currently offers four master's degrees, two doctoral programs, two united graduate school programs, and one joint graduate school program. Most notably, the Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology (master's degree) was established to advance unique interdisciplinary subjects that combine engineering and applied biological sciences. For instance, in its design thinking course, students are instructed to collectively address diverse socioeconomic issues and propose solutions. Design thinking education is pivotal for the development and expansion of graduate school education. In the Professional Degree Program (Graduate School of Education), the Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, and the Joint Graduate School (PhD Program) in the Science of School Education, with Hyogo University of Teacher Education, the strong commitment of students for academic and research success also reinforces the high quality of our graduate school education.
　Amongst those present today are newly enrolled students at the United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, our collaboration with Gifu Pharmaceutical University, and at the other end of the spectrum, new working adult students in the Professional Degree Program. We are also honored to welcome Chancellor MATSUO Seiichi of the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS) to this ceremony, to wish you the best in your exploration of new academic goals and endeavors.
　Until last year, the entrance ceremony was divided into three parts due to precautions against the spread of COVID 19. From the AY 2024, we will be conducting the entrance ceremony in two parts, celebrating the admissions of undergraduate students and graduate students separately.

　In collaboration with leading global institutions, Japan is committed to enhancing its research capabilities and establishing universities that can drive regional transformation. To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan is implementing the 'World-Leading Innovative Graduate Study Program Innovations for Future Society,' and actively engaging in creating academic hubs within local communities. Graduate students, whether you study to master's level or aspire to advance to a PhD program, play a crucial role as invaluable assets for our country's future. Your dedicated efforts will strengthen Gifu University's research capabilities, drive innovation, address social and regional challenges, and help meet the needs of our society. In assuming leadership roles, you contribute to the promotion of regional growth, and together, we can maintain Japan's position as a global leader. We are resolved to enhance Gifu University's accessibility for both our local community and our global one. To achieve this, we provide students and staff with conducive study- and work- environments, which in turn attract exceptional students, researchers, and staff who embody values such as diversity, integrity and loyalty.
　The establishment of Japan's first academic integration initiative, known as the 'Tokai National Higher Education and Research System' (THERS), commenced in April 2020. THERS is facilitating closer and deeper collaboration across a broader spectrum of joint educational and research endeavors between Nagoya and Gifu universities. Aligned with THERS' overarching mission- "Make New Standards for The Public - As a 'Commons of Knowledge and Innovation,' we pursue a new form of university and contribute to the advancement of our community and humanity," Gifu University's vision and strategic goals include the following: 'Rise to become a top-tier regional core university in Japan' 'Develop human resources excelling in 'Learning, Exploring, and Contributing,' and 'Create innovations through collaboration with local governments and private enterprises to address regional challenges.'
　Furthermore, under our newly created model for value-creation, "Migration, Laboratory, Innovation, Education," Gifu University, together with our stakeholders, are striving to advance the five objectives of 'Creation of Businesses and Community-Building,' 'Product Manufacturing,' 'Food Manufacturing,' 'Development of New Medical Systems,' and 'Human Resource Developments.' We believe that achieving these five objectives will enhance Gifu University's connectedness and appeal to both Gifu people and the global populace, transforming the university in sustainable and research-oriented ways for years to come.

　Next, I would like to share the major achievements of Gifu University in the four years since the establishment of THERS in 2020. New educational programs introduced by Academic Central¹ include joint classes for students of both Gifu and Nagoya universities under Gifu University's Campus-Wide Core Curriculum focusing on English, mathematical and data science, and A.I. Our credit transfer system and shared use of laboratories and facilities between students from both universities have expanded significantly. Moreover, due to the relentless efforts of all involved, we have been able to offer waivers for university tuition and financial support to PhD students. These initiatives are designed to allow students to focus on their academic pursuits and objectives.
　In the sphere of research, we place special emphasis on advancing three fields: 'Life Sciences,' 'Product Manufacturing,' and 'Environment and Energy.' These fields have great potential to help us resolve numerous socioeconomic challenges and address the risks humanity faces today. THERS' six core directives, bolstered by the respective advantages of Gifu and Nagoya universities, are expected to continue expanding as they consistently advance THERS and its key components: 'Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE),' 'Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT),' 'Intelligent Production Technology Research & Development Center for Aerospace,' 'Center for Research, Education, and Development for Healthcare Life Design (C-REX),' 'Low Temperature Plasma Comprehensive Research Center,' and 'Quantum-Based Frontier Research Hub for Industry Development (Q-BReD).'
　Collaborating with THERS, local governments, and the business community, Gifu University is actively engaged in fostering, nurturing, and supporting startups. We firmly believe that these startups have the potential to fuel innovation and serve as key players in regional revitalization moving forward. In June 2023, Gifu University and the Gifu Prefectural Government jointly established the 'Gifu Startup Support Consortium.' With the consortium serving as a driving force, we continue to provide students with entrepreneurship education, support, and startup guidance. Several business ventures that originated from the Gifu University Startup Club are already showcasing innovative and successful business models both at home and abroad.

　A Japanese educator, FUKUZAWA Yukichi (1835 - 1901), who founded Keio University in Tokyo in 1858, is well-known for his motto 'Itan to Sendou.' (heterodoxy and leadership). This motto exemplifies Fukuzawa's call for intellectual courage, innovation, and societal transformation. It invites people to challenge the status quo and lead Japan into a new era of enlightenment.

　In the field of gastrointestinal surgery, which is my specialty as a medical doctor, laparoscopic surgery and robot arm-assisted operations are standard practice today, reducing the physical trauma of patients. In this procedure, a surgeon creates a tiny incision in a patient's abdomen, through which a laparoscope is inserted and used to perform the entire operation. Over 100 years ago, Fukuzawa wrote the following passage in his book: "A time will definitely come when a patient can quickly recover from surgery using an endoscope or laparoscope." At that time, even open abdominal surgery was not yet an established practice. His insight may have been considered 'heterodoxy' by his contemporaries, but it ultimately served as a guiding light, leading the medical community toward creativity and innovation. 。
　I conclude by exhorting you to stand firm on the moral high ground, armed with integrated knowledge and wisdom, embrace the status of 'heterodoxy' in this time, and lead the world in the years ahead. We are eager to support you and guide you in realizing your hopes, dreams, and aspirations. May you consciously remember the following as you proceed with a new chapter in your life: "What do you study, what do you study for, and how do you use your expertise in society?" I pose the same question to all the faculty members of Gifu University.

　Let me close by wishing you a campus life of fulfillment in all respects. I welcome you all and request that you join us in endeavoring to make your university years the best ever.

April 7, 2024
YOSHIDA Kazuhiro　President of Gifu University

1) Academic Central is one of the "Core Educational and Research Directives" of THERS.