The 8^th Press Conference by President for AY 2017 was held at Gifu University Satellite Campus on December 19, 2017.

First, President Hisataka Moriwaki spoke about the new course, "Smart Grid Power Control Engineering Joint Research Course" of the Faculty of Engineering in association with "Gifu University Future Vision 2025." Next, Professor Shuichi Nonomura, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering introduced the summary of the course, then the representative of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd. (MHI Thermal Systems) explained the details of the course.

"Smart Grid Power Control Engineering Joint Research Course" is the first joint research course for Gifu University with the industrial sector. MHI Thermal Systems has become the first partner in a new scheme by Gifu University to initiate joint research.

In this course, the two institutions cooperate technological development to achieve air-conditioning power control optimal for both networks and users. MHI Thermal Systems has a long history in multi-system air-conditioning technologies for office buildings, while Gifu University's Next-Generation Energy Research Center has a strong track record in researching smart grids.

It is expected that the new course will provide graduate students, PhD students and international students in PhD course with an opportunity to become engineers who are well-versed in air-conditioning systems and smart grids in the near future.