On April 27, 2016, Gifu University held the 1^st Commendation Ceremony for High Achievers in TOEIC scores. A scholarship was awarded to the University staff members (administrative and technical staff) who scored 800 points or higher on the TOEIC test in the expectation that it would encourage them to make further efforts to study.
At the ceremony, Dr. Fumiaki Suzuki, Director of the Gifu University Head Office for Glocalization (GHOGL), presented certificates to nine people (one from the Facility and Environmental Affairs Department, two from the Academic and International Affairs Department, two from the Student Affairs Department, one from the Graduate School of Medicine and School of Medicine, two from the University Hospital and one from the Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences) who got more than 800 points on the TOEIC test in the past. Later, the attendees spent some time talking with Dr. Suzuki and Mr. Yoshifumi Ohno, Senior Manager of the Academic and International Affairs Department. After Dr. Suzuki and Mr. Ohno offered words of encouragement to the attendees, they exchanged opinions on how they utilize their English skills and what they found to be difficult in communicating in English at work.
This commendation ceremony started in 2015 based on a proposal by young members of the administrative staff. The aim of the project is to promote internationalization in office work and to improve student services by boosting the number of University staff members who are proficient in English. Gifu University intends to continue this project to promote the globalization of the University in the future.