Dr. Matawal Makut of University of South Florida, USF Health visited Gifu University on January 9 and 10, 2018, and paid a courtesy call on President Hisataka Moriwaki, Dr. Fumiaki Suzuki, Executive Director for International Affairs and Public Relations, Dr. Shinya Minatoguchi, Dean of the School of Medicine, Mr. Kazuhiko Fujisaki, Director of the Medical Education Development Center (MEDC) and Professor Futoshi Okumura of the Nursing Course, School of Medicine. The meeting was joined by Dr. Mayumi Yamamoto, Director of the Health Administration Center, Associate Professor Yayoi Tajima of the Nursing Course, Mr. Rintaro Imafuku, MEDC lecturer, Ms. Haruko Nonomura, Director for International Affairs and Planning, Mr. Mamoru Fujita, Office Manager of the Graduate School of Medicine and the School of Medicine.

The University of South Florida is one of the biggest universities in the United States with 48,000 students. Gifu University started a researcher exchange with the university in the 80s. Its continued partnership culminated in the signing of a General Agreement for Collaboration between Gifu University School of Medicine, Health Administration Center and the University of South Florida in October 2016. Its major objectives are to foster a student exchange at the School of Medicine and the Nursing Course as well as research exchange in international public health. Furthermore, the two universities will soon sign an Agreement for a Medical Clerkship Exchange Program.

Thirty-two medical students and their supervisor from the University of South Florida are scheduled to visit the School of Medicine and the Health Administration Center in May 2018. They will attend lectures about Japanese medical insurance systems, mitigation and prevention of natural disasters, inspect medical and welfare facilities within Gifu Prefecture including the University Hospital, have school lunches at public schools within Gujo City (Gifu Prefecture) and exchange with students at the School of Medicine and the Nursing Course. At the meeting with the President, they talked about the students' visit to Gifu University in May as well as future dispatching of the first-year School of Medicine students to Tampa General Hospital for clinical training. Active discussions followed concerning promotion of student and faculty exchange between the two institutions. It is expected that Gifu University and the University of South Florida will continue to develop stronger ties with one another in the fields of education, research and clinical studies for years to come.