Gifu University Head Office for Glocalization (GHOGL) hosted the 4th Meeting between International Students, Researchers and Board Members hosted by the President at the Dining Hall No.2 on November 2, 2017. It was held as part of the International Month 2017. Starting from 2014, the meeting was designed to promote mutual friendship between board members including the President, and international students, researchers and their families.

First, President Hisataka Moriwaki gave an opening address. After the introduction of the board members, Dr. Fumiaki Suzuki, Executive Director for International Affairs and Public Relations and Director of GHOGL proposed a toast to the meeting's success. Soon, the participants started to enjoy buffet-style meals and casual conversations with one another.

As a special event, three student teams by country performed on stage. Students from Indonesia sang and danced their traditional, karate martial-arts called, "Pencak Silat." Students from Bangladesh first explained about Beng language spoken in their home country and then sang and performed traditional dancing in front of the audience. Gifu University Japanese Music Club members played "Sakura, sakura (cherry blossoms)" on the koto harps.

The audience was intently listening to the distinctive sound and watching powerful performances. After the program, each performer was given a commemorative gift, and Professor Mutsuhiro Shima, Vice Director of GHOGL gave a big compliment to each performer. Professor Hiroyuki Koyama, also Vice Director gave a closing speech to thank everyone.

In the 4th Meeting, approximately 130 people attended. The questionnaire papers distributed to the attendees were full of positive comments. They were: "I had a chance to talk to the President, professors and many international students from different countries." "Knowing different cultures was a real eye-opener. Singing and dancing were also quite impressive," and "I would like to attend the 5th meeting next year, too." They all reflected a great success of the meeting and a big turnout at future meetings is expected from the next year onward.

The Meeting between International Students, Researchers and Board Members hosted by the President continues to offer a venue for exchange among international students, researchers, their families and the board members. The 4th Meeting proved to be a very meaningful and fruitful moment of exchange and a place for observing and deepening the understanding of various cultures of the world to the participants.