Gifu University United Graduate School of Agricultural Science (UGSAS) signed the faculty-level agreement with Thuyloi University, Viet Nam on June 25, 2015. Under this agreement, The 5th International Workshop of UGSAS-GU - Recent Progress in Agriculture and Water Management in Asia 2017 was held in Thuyloi University (Viet Nam) on November 27 and 28, 2017. This workshop is designed to promote globalization of Gifu University and exchange with local industries. A number of programs/projects were already carried out between the two universities since 2014.

On November 27, with the "Recent Progress in Agriculture and Water Management in Asia" as a main theme, the workshop started with the opening speech by Dr. Masateru Senge, Dean of UGSAS and the address by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Kim, Rector of Thuyloi University. Next, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai, Vice Rector of Thuyloi University (Gifu University Visiting Associate Professor), and Associate Professor Iida Toshiaki of The University of Tokyo delivered keynote speeches which were followed by the introduction of IC-GU12^*1 by Professor Ken Hiramatsu of Gifu University. Later, a total of 10 following speakers made research presentations: Associate Professor Takeo Onishi, Associate Professor Tatsuro Nishiyama and Assistant Professor Keigo Noda from Gifu University, three researchers from Thuyloi University including Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Cao Don and three former UGSAS students from Sebelas Maret University, The University of Lampung (Indonesia) and University of Dhaka (Bangladesh). Later, Mr. Eiji Chihara of Sanyu Consultants Inc. (member of Industry Subcommittee^*2) introduced its business operations. Then, reports were made about research internship by a first-year student of UGSAS and a first-year student of the Graduate School of Applied Biological Sciences. Under this internship program, Gifu University students were accepted by Thuyloi University, and Sanyu Consultants Inc. offered them an opportunity to experience the internship. It showed us one of the successful examples of cooperation among IC-GU12 member universities. Fifty-four people participated in the workshop and they all listened to the speeches and the presentations with great interest, and also engaged in active opinion exchange and research discussions. The workshop turned out to be a great success as a venue for exchange in promoting globalization.

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On the second day of November 28. Gifu University delegates were invited to observe BHH^*3 irrigation system in the suburbs of Hanoi guided by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Canh Thai. They studied the current state of irrigation systems in Viet Nam, and the importance of water resources. In the afternoon when all the workshop schedule was over, they visited Hanoi University of Science and Technology (member of IC-GU12). There, Professor Senge and Professor Kohei Nakano met with Assoc. Prof. Quan Le Ha, Head of School of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Associate Professor, Vice Dean Nguyen Thi Minh Tu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Lien Ha (Gifu University Visiting Associate Professor). The two Gifu University delegates first introduced UGSAS ongoing programs/projects, and agreed with having more talks and discussions for the conclusion of Double PhD Degree Program.

^*1IC－GU12: "International Consortium of Universities in South and Southeast Asia for the Doctoral Education in Agricultural Science and Biotechnology", which was created under the initiative of Gifu University.
^*2Industry Subcommittee: established in 2013 under the cooperation between life sciences and environmental sciences-related enterprises and graduate schools within the Tokai Region. Its founding objective is to cultivate highly-skilled professionals succeeding in South Asia.
^*3BHH：Bac Hung Hai Irrigation System