The 17th Japanese Speech Competition by International Students Residing in Gifu Prefecture was held at Gifu University auditorium on November 23, 2018. Five international students studying at Gifu University took part in the competition. They were:

- Ms. Jiang Kaiti (studying the Japanese Language and Culture Studies Course at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture)

- Ms. Saokumkate Supawadee (studying the Japanese Language and Culture Studies Course at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture)

- Mr. Iqmal Hakeem Bin Jaffri (first-year student at the Faculty of Engineering)

- Mr. Li Yujie (studying the Japanese Language and Culture Studies Course at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture)

- Ms. Huang Yuean (special auditor at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture)

Since 2001, the competition has been organized by the Gifu Regional Council for the Promotion of International Exchange in order to raise interests in Japanese and enhance Japanese skills of international students. Gifu University serves as an administrative office of the council. Seventy-seven people on and out of campus came to see the competition. An informal gathering between speakers and the audience was held during the time of screening by the panel of judges.

After an opening speech by President Hisataka Moriwaki of Gifu University (council president), thirteen students (from six countries) studying at four universities and junior colleges within Gifu Prefecture gave a 7-minute speech each in Japanese. Through their speeches, they could display their sincere efforts of studying Japanese to the audience. After a strict screening process, Ms. Saokumkate Supawadee and Ms. Huang Yuean won the Award for Excellence. At the end of the competition, all the winners were given award certificates and small gifts from the president.

Prize Winners of the 17th Japanese Speech Competition by International Students Residing in Gifu Prefecture

Highest Award:
Mr. Yu Wansong from Nakanihon Automotive College
Speech title: "Importance of fulfilling our duties"

Award for Excellence:
Ms. Tarieleva Nargilia from Chubu Gakuin University & College
Speech title: "My firsthand nursing care experience"

Ms. Saokumkate Supawadee from Gifu University
Speech title: "Break a barrier"

Ms. Huang Yuean from Gifu University
Speech title: "Connections - friendship with one Chinese learner"