On November 12 and 13, 2016, Gifu University hosted the "Gifu University Fair in Takayama" at the Hida Earth Wisdom Center in northern Hida region, Gifu Prefecture. A total of 700 people attended for two days.

The fair started in 2009 and has been held every year as an event to communicate the university education, research projects and social contributions to the general public. The theme of the fair this year was "Learn, Explore and Contribute: Step up in Hida×Create a Momentum for Hida," and was convened at Takayama City for the first time in hopes of attracting a large number of senior high school students in the Hida region.

The fair was part of the "Senior High School & University Partnership Program" of COC^*1 development type COC+^*2 project of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) which started in 2015. Unlike other fairs focusing on research work, Gifu University's activities were extensively introduced to senior high school students and their parents through presentations of university faculties and centers, briefing on student education, extracurricular activities and collaboration between the university and local communities.

At the Hida Earth Wisdom Center, people were invited to see a panel exhibition about university faculties, experience lectures and on-site study sessions. They also had a chance to get a glimpse of university student activities. Later, four mayors of the Hida region and President Hisataka Moriwaki of Gifu University joined a panel discussion under the title, "Ties between the Hida region and Gifu University and Partnership: Message for youngsters responsible for the next generation." In addition, Ms. Teruko Kikumoto (Chair of Save the Children Centre (SCC: NGO) and Director of Matumaini Chidren's Home) gave a speech entitled, "Build a Sense of Hope (Matumaini) in a Destitute Country: Grass-root activities in Kenya." Other programs in the fair include: reporting on "Gifu Future Center" activities at which local residents and the university students share their ideas about ties between Gifu University and local communities, and "Local Community-Oriented Education Project" promoted by Gifu University for solutions of regional challenges and discovering potential problems.

The fair offered many senior high school students and the residents of the Hida region a chance to know more about Gifu University's goals and ongoing activities. Thank you very much for your coming to "Gifu University Fair in Takayama."

^*1 COC (Center of Community) projects: projects of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Their objectives include reinforcing university functions to be a core of local communities where people, information and technology are brought together for problem-solving. To achieve these objectives, universities are expected to promote regional-based education, research and social contribution.

^*2 COC+ (Center of Community Program for Local Revitalization) projects: projects of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Their objectives include assembling people together to regions for revitalization by: - offering attractive job opportunities to students in collaboration with universities, local governments and businesses and, - supporting university's curriculum reform efforts necessary to cultivate personnel sought by regions.