President's Address at the 73rd Commencement Ceremony for AY 2024

At this 73rd Commencement Ceremony for AY 2024, it gives me great pleasure to offer my heartfelt congratulations to this year's graduating students: 1,254 undergraduate students and 578 graduate students, totaling 1,832 students. Today, we are honored to have the presence of Dr. HIZUME Kazuyuki, President of Shizuoka University (Shizuoka Prefecture), and Dr. HARA Hideaki, President of Gifu Pharmaceutical University, at the ceremony. Shizuoka University is a constituent university of the United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, and Gifu Pharmaceutical University is also a constituent university of the United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences.

Throughout your diligent studies at Gifu University, you have engaged in numerous discussions with your mentors and peers to address the challenges you face in your personal lives and the global issues of today. One of these challenges is your commitment to the realization of Society 5.0¹

You have overcome the considerable hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic and have developed great resilience amidst ongoing global and historical adversities, such as climate change and international conflicts. Therefore, I strongly believe that you can fully utilize your unyielding spirits and the energy you have accumulated thus far in the forging of a promising future.
Our faculty members have responded to the challenges of this new era with great enthusiasm and established new educational curricula and research guidance. I would like to take this auspicious occasion to extend my highest respect and heartfelt gratitude to all students, parents, and faculty members.

Gifu University's history can be traced back to 1873, when Gifu Prefectural Normal School was founded. On April 1, 2020, it entered an exciting new chapter by establishing a novel institutional framework through its merger with Nagoya University. This unified entity is now known as the 'Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS).' The Class of 2024 represents the fifth graduating cohort under this restructured framework.
While aligning with the THERS' mission to 'Make New Standards for The Public' and upholding Gifu University's long-term ideals of 'Learning, Exploring, and Contributing,' we promote the following core values in our new visions and strategies: strategic co-creation within the community, execution of unique and original research projects, fostering innovation, providing quality education, and serving as a hub for community revitalization to address diverse issues.

Gifu University has united the efforts of all its faculties, graduate schools, and departments to establish and vigorously pursue the 'MLIE Concept' - Migration, Laboratory, Innovation, Education - striving to advance the five objectives of 'Creation of Businesses and Community-Building,' 'Product Manufacturing,' 'Food Production,' 'Development of New Medical Systems,' and 'Human Resource Development.' I am confident that you have been maturing into responsible adults in tandem with the bold growth of Gifu University, driven by our four strategic pillars, "Education and Human Resource Development," "Research and Value Creation," "Social and Industry-Academia Collaboration," and "International Expansion."

In the realm of research activities, the synergy between Gifu University and Nagoya University has led to the implementation of six² Research Hub Collaboration Support Projects, which have been consistently yielding remarkable attainments. Notably, in the field of "Life Sciences," the Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE) Gifu Research Building opened on Gifu University campus in 2023. iGCORE's "Human Glycome Atlas Project (HGA)" became the first MEXT³-approved "Projects to Promote Large Scientific Frontiers" in Japan. HGA is considered one of the pioneering projects to spearhead research on glycobiology.

The Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT) was established in January 2023, harnessing broader collaboration across diverse research fields, such as medicine, pharmaceutical science, veterinary medicine, engineering, and agriculture. COMIT is expected to profoundly contribute to the discovery of new drugs in the future. The establishment of the 'Integrated Non-Clinical Research Facility for Medicine, Veterinary Science, and Pharmaceutical Science⁴" is also highly anticipated to further accelerate drug discoveries for both humans and animals based on the concept of "One Medicine."

In the sphere of manufacturing, we established the nation's first Intelligent Production Technology Research & Development Center for Aerospace (IPTeCA) in April 2019 to facilitate aerospace design and production technologies. Additionally, we are vigorously working on initiatives in smart die casting technology and carbon fiber innovation to put them into wider use and bring about a quantum leap for local manufacturing industries. The soon-to-be established Sustainable Technology Innovation Hub for Seki Cutlery ⁵ and the April-2025 opening of our Manufacturing Management Course within the School of Social System Management will also boost local manufacturing business.

In environment and energy, we established the Center for Environmental and Societal Sustainability (CENSS) in April 2024, aiming to mitigate the impacts of climate change and attain carbon neutrality.

In educational reforms, we have been collaborating with Nagoya University to offer shared courses in mathematics, data science, A.I. education, and English education as part of a credit transfer system for undergraduate students. Additionally, for the Gifu Region Human Resource Development Program (Gifu University's version of MEXT's Supereminent Program for Activating Regional Collaboration (SPARC)), establishing academic infrastructure for regional revitalization, Gifu University was recognized by the Japanese Government as a university collaboration promotion corporation in March 2024. This recognition allows us to offer joint courses with Chubu Gakuin University and Gifu City Women's College, promoting educational reform through inter-university collaboration.

Within our commitments to international collaborations, we have been striving to enhance and expand our Joint Degree Programs (JDP), which commenced in April 2019 with two universities overseas. I would also like to mention Gifu University's financial support for doctoral students, including tuition waivers, living expenses, and research funding.

In February 2024, the regional industry-academia collaboration open innovation hub, Tokai Open Innovation Complex Gifu Site, was inaugurated on campus as a center for entrepreneurial education and innovation.

In April 2025, the Tokai Kanjo Expressway Gifu Interchange will open near Gifu University, and we expect this will further expedite our university becoming a hub for academic research, life sciences, and manufacturing innovation.

In many Asian countries including Japan, birthrates are declining, and populations are aging relentlessly. The world today is full of geopolitical uncertainties, and many people in the world are suffering high commodity prices. To thrive on the international stage, breed strong leadership, and create a secure and prosperous society for everyone, the power of science, technology, and innovation is indispensable. This requires research into and social implementation of new technologies that can meet socioeconomic demands, and the strengthening of the collaboration between academia, local governments, and industry. To these ends, we are determined to advance as a "world-leading university, committing to social implementation through co-creation" with our stakeholders.

Please take pride in having learned and put into practice the Gifu University's ideals of "Learning, Exploring, and Contributing." From today, as a proud alumnus, I encourage you to actively participate in the Gifu University Alumni Association, share your experiences and achievements, support the efforts and struggles of your juniors, and work diligently for the continued prosperity of Gifu University.

Today, at this degree conferment ceremony and the beginning of your journey into the future, I would like to introduce a book that holds great significance for me. It is "Go Rin no Sho (The Book of Five Rings)," a text on Japanese martial arts, written by Miyamoto Musashi (1584 - 1645), a renowned martial artist from the early Edo period (1600 - 1868). This book encapsulates the path and philosophy of a person who has mastered the way of the sword.

The book discusses five elements: "Earth," "Water," "Fire," "Wind," and "Void." They will serve as guiding principles for you as you face various challenges in your future lives. "Earth" signifies "building a solid foundation," "Water" represents flexibility, "Fire" embodies passion, "Wind" denotes adaptability to change, and "Void" symbolizes trust in infinite possibilities.

On a personal note, I have spent over 40 years as a surgeon, treating patients with the aid of a scalpel. When approaching each surgery with my full dedication, the book has been immensely valuable in shaping my mindset and attitude.

I hope that you will find it insightful in developing the "ability to read the times and acquire knowledge," "adaptability like water," and in "considering precise positioning," and "maintaining peace of mind through your mind's eye."

As you embark on your future endeavors, you will excel as leaders and be a driving force for the prosperity of our country. Regardless of the path you may choose, remember that your journey of contributions to society begins at this very moment. Please always bear this in mind and continue honing your skills and expertise as highly specialized professionals, capable of adapting to any changes that come your way.

Beyond the boundary of your specialized field of study, please cultivate a "rich heart and acquire comprehensive knowledge" as lifelong learners. With your "mind's eye" and the ability to discern the truth, always step forward boldly into the future to create a society where both the elderly and the young can live in peace.

It is our great joy to witness your constant, robust endeavors towards your goals. We hope that you will hold high the wisdom you have gained at Gifu University, take pride in your alma mater, and become individuals who can thrive globally, building upon the relationships and collaborations you have established for this day. Let me conclude my speech by wishing you the best of luck, and I truly look forward to working with each one of you as the future unfolds. Congratulations to all of you.

March 25, 2025

YOSHIDA Kazuhiro
President, Gifu University
Tokai National Higher Education and Research System

• 1) Society 5.0 is the next stage of society following on from the hunter-gatherer society (Society 1.0), farming society (Society 2.0), industrial society (Society 3.0), and information society (Society 4.0). Society 5.0 was put forward by the Japanese Cabinet in 2016 in the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan" through MEXT3.
• 2) Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Aerospace Research and Education Hub (AREH), Center for Research, Education, and Development for Healthcare Life Design (C-REX), Center for Integrated Sciences of Low Temperature Plasma Core Research, Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), and Quantum-Based Frontier Research Hub for Industry Development (Q-BReD)
• 3) Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
• 4) English name is tentative
• 5) English name is tentative