Gifu University organized the 17th Local Business Inspection Tour on July 23, 2019. Started in 2007, the tour aims to help Gifu University board members grasp the status of local industries firsthand, deepen their understanding about regional economies and contribute to society.

Gifu University participants visited Anpachi Factory of Asahi Kinzoku Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Gifu Factory of Nabtesco Corporation, both of which are major aircraft equipment manufacturers. The two destinations of the tour were determined because the Intelligent Production Technology Research & Development Center for Aerospace newly opened in April 2019 within campus. After introduction of Gifu University and factory inspections, the participants and the employees actively exchanged opinions at the respective sites.

The participants observed the whole process of machinery production (from processing to assembling) at Asahi Kinzoku Kogyo. The company has already obtained 19 different accreditations from Nadcap (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program: a global cooperative accreditation program for aerospace engineering, defense and related industries). After the inspection, the participants spent much time to share their thoughts about factory automation, challenges of overseas business operations, etc.

At Nabtesco Corporation, the participants were introduced the "flight control actuation system" which can control three-dimensional movements of an airplane. Later, they inspected the production factory stocked with a large variety of aircraft equipment in small quantities. A number of Gifu University alumni are currently working for the company. The participants felt the strong sense of expectations from the business community toward university's robust research strengths and production of excellent personnel. We believe it is crucial for the board members to visit local industries and understand the real situations on the ground on a regular basis. We will continue to work hard to contribute to the local community through industry-academia collaboration and human resource development.