Associate Professor Masayuki Uehara, Research Promotion Division Head, Gifu University Organization for Research and Community Development attended EDGE-NEXT (Exploration and Development of Global Entrepreneurship for NEXT generation) Tokyo Symposium as a panelist on March 15, 2019. He made a presentation on behalf of Tokai Consortium^*. The symposium was hosted by the Ministry of Education, Sports, Culture, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT).

　EDGE-NEXT (from 2017 to 2021) is one of the MEXT programs to develop entrepreneurial human resources who can create new businesses utilizing research results and achievements attained at universities and research institutions. It also aims to build "venture ecosystems" by relevant organizations. Besides Tokai Consortium, four consortiums were approved by the MEXT (University of Tokyo Consortium, Tohoku University Consortium, Waseda University Consortium, Kyushu University Consortium).

Tokyo Symposium was attended by people from across the country including the MEXT staff, members of consortium, private firm and local municipality representatives. Summary of a flagship "Tongali Program" (a common entrepreneur fostering program for participating consortiums), university's original programs and their outcomes were presented to the audience.

In the "Tongali Program," university students, teaching and administrative staff, businesspeople learn how to translate their own ideas and new technologies into real businesses and commercialization step by step. They will acquire both theoretical and practical skills to tackle challenges which are being posed to our society today.

In a panel discussion, panelists discussed the following themes for about one hour and a half: "ideal image of entrepreneurs in Japan," "necessary educational programs to nurture ideal entrepreneurs," and "building venture ecosystems."

Gifu University carries out a number of programs to assist students and researchers in their initiatives to start ventures. They are: entrepreneur education, venture start support programs through collaboration of Gifu University Head Office for Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration, and its partner organizations (universities, financial institutions and enterprises). On February 10, 2019, Gifu University hosted the prefecture's first business competition, "Gifu Business Idea Presentation" for university and senior high school students in order to promote entrepreneurship in Gifu.
Gifu University will continue to work hard for regional revitalization and creation of new businesses by 1) creating Gifu University's original entrepreneur fostering ecosystems that include instructions from successful entrepreneurs from Gifu University for their juniors, 2) developing human resources full of entrepreneurship and capable of bringing innovations to businesses and industries in the near future.

^*Tokai Consortium: five national universities in the Tokai region; Gifu University, Nagoya University, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Toyohashi University of Technology and Mie University