President's Address: AY 2025 Entrance Ceremony for Graduate School Students
To all our new students, congratulations on your admission to Gifu University.
We are extremely pleased to have 1,333 new undergraduate students and 651 graduate students join us this year. I am overjoyed to share this new beginning with all of you as we embark on a new chapter in our lives.
You have triumphed over the adversity of the COVID-19 pandemic and, amidst global and historical challenges such as climate change and international conflicts, you have harnessed your great resilience and steadfastly pursued your aspirations, culminating in your successful admission to the Graduate School of Gifu University. I would also like to take this opportunity to show my appreciation to everyone, including your guardians and supervisors, who have supported you every step of the way.
At the Gifu University Graduate School, we established the new Graduate School of Social System Management for master's students this year. This brings us to five master's programs and two doctoral programs, two united graduate schools and one joint graduate school with Gifu University as the core institution. The Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology for master's students was originally established to enhance the functionality of graduate education, integrating engineering and applied biological sciences, with a particular emphasis on 'design thinking' education. We believe that this 'design thinking' will form a central pillar of Gifu University's educational offerings. The Professional Degree Program offered by the Graduate School of Education, the Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, as well as the joint graduate school programs for PhD students, are showcasing our distinctive graduate 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 new students at the United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, our collaboration with Shizuoka University. At the other end of the spectrum are new working adult students in the Professional Degree Program.
We are honored to welcome Chancellor MATSUO Seiichi of the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS) and President HARA Hideaki of Gifu Pharmaceutical University to this ceremony, to wish you the best in your exploration of new academic goals and endeavors.
From AY 2024, we have been conducting the entrance ceremony in two parts, celebrating the admissions of undergraduate students and graduate students separately.
Today, we are anticipating the emergence of a 'smart society,' where big data transactions, the development of generative artificial intelligence (A.I.), the acceleration of robotic technologies, and the spread of the 'Internet of Things' will play pivotal roles in our society. Our aim is to foster a virtuous cycle where diverse talents collaborate beyond the boundaries of their respective organizations, generating new knowledge and manifesting social value.
Against the backdrop of ongoing digital transformation, 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. We are aligned with the overarching mission of THERS - "Make New Standards for The Public - as a 'Commons of Knowledge and Innovation,' in pursuit of a new form of university and contributing to the advancement of our community and humanity." With this in mind, Gifu University's vision and strategic goals include the following: One - rise to become a top-tier regional core university in Japan. Two - develop human resources excelling in "Learning, Exploring, and Contributing." And three - 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 ('MLIE Concept')," 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 accessibility and appeal to both the local community and a global audience, 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 five 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 between the two universities has 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 advance to doctoral courses and focus on their academic pursuits and objectives. The implementation of the innovative 'Student Status System' enables students to assess their own progress and accomplishments. It's worth noting that Gifu University is the pioneering institution in Japan in adopting this system. It ensures transparency and visibility of students' academic achievements for all.
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.
At Gifu University, a significant number of international students and researchers are studying and engaging in research activities on campus. To date, Gifu University has 50 foreign partner universities in countries ranging across Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania. Various faculties offer comprehensive support to students who wish to study abroad whilst at university. In addition, Joint Degree Programs (four international master's and PhD programs) with the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and the National University of Malaysia were launched in April 2019 to accelerate the internationalization and enhancement of educational and research capabilities among the three universities. Today, our nation is at an important crossroads of urgently expanding our global reach, and to fulfill this crucial mission, robust interactive exchanges among students, scholars, and citizens are indispensable. We are hopeful that all Gifu University students fully utilize our study abroad support programs to explore and experience the world.
In the sphere of research, we place special emphasis on advancing three fields: 'ife 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 research directives are: Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), 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, and Quantum-Based Frontier Research Hub for Industry Development (Q-BReD). Bolstered by the respective advantages of Gifu and Nagoya universities, these entities are expected to continue expanding with THERS.
In May 2024, iGCORE Gifu Research Building was completed on Gifu University campus as a hub for world-class glycobiology research. In February 2024, the regional industry-academia collaboration open innovation hub, "Tokai Open Innovation Complex Gifu Site," was inaugurated, also on campus, as a center for innovation. Additionally, the Gifu University student club, 'Startup Club,' has been honored with multiple awards in business competitions since its inception, most notably in 2024, including accolades from MEXT, highlighting our distinctive approach to entrepreneurship education.
Gifu Pharmaceutical University and Gifu University have closely collaborated and conducted joint research over the years. This year, Gifu Pharmaceutical University has been incorporated, and the complete relocation of its facilities to Gifu University is planned. This will further strengthen the collaboration with Gifu University, deepening cooperation not only between medicine and pharmaceutical sciences but also among veterinary medicine, agriculture, and engineering, further promoting interprofessional education between the two universities. We will continue to accelerate our collaboration and advance initiatives that contribute to the development of the region.
In April 2025, the Tokai Kanjo Expressway Gifu Interchange will open near Gifu University. We anticipate that this development will further expedite our university's emergence as a hub for academic research, life sciences, and manufacturing innovation, thereby contributing to the prosperity of our region.
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. As you embark on your research journey as a graduate student, I urge you to first master the assigned research tasks, then strive to advance your studies with a focus on generating social impact from your findings.
There is a renowned phrase attributed to Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835-1901), a distinguished Japanese educator, philosopher, and the founder of Keio University in Tokyo: 'A scholar should become a watchdog goose for the nation.' The "wild goose," a well-known waterfowl, often moves in large flocks. While resting its wings and foraging in vast wetlands, there is always one goose that stretches its neck, constantly surveying its surroundings, remaining vigilant, and fulfilling its role to protect the flock from predators.
As students at Gifu University, I hope you will embody the spirit of the watchdog goose. Through your academic endeavors at Gifu University, I encourage you to cultivate distinctive perspectives and attitudes, thereby becoming beacons of guidance for the future.
Let me close by wishing you a campus life of fulfillment in all respects. Stand firm on the moral high ground, armed with integrated knowledge and wisdom, and prepare yourselves to lead the world in the years ahead as the trailblazers of the forthcoming era. We are eager to support you and guide you in realizing your hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
April 7, 2025
YOSHIDA Kazuhiro President of Gifu University
1) Academic Central is one of the "Core Educational and Research Directives" of THERS
