The Gifu Regional Council for the Promotion of International Exchange (Gifu University handles the administrative work for the council) hosted the 18th Japanese Speech Competition by International Students Residing in Gifu Prefecture at Gifu Media Cosmos (Gifu City) on November 23, 2019.

Since 2001, the competition has been organized by the Council in order to raise international students' interests in Japanese and enhance their Japanese skills. A total of 87 students took part in the 18th competition, of them, three were from Gifu University:

- Mr. Pen I Uoy (3rd year student, the Faculty of Engineering)

- Mr. Wu Wenliang (2nd year student, the Faculty of Regional Studies)

- Ms. Fu Libei (Japanese Language & Culture Studies Course, the Center for Japanese Language and Culture)

After an opening speech by President of Gifu University, Hisataka Moriwaki (Council President), thirteen students (from six countries) studying at five universities and junior colleges within Gifu Prefecture, gave a seven-minute speech in Japanese. All of their speeches demonstrated the students' sincere efforts of studying Japanese. After a strict screening, Ms. Fu Libei won the Award for Excellence. At the end of the competition, all winners were presented award certificates and small gifts from the president.

Citizens who are interested in international exchange came to listen to the speeches. "I was impressed by the students' Japanese skills." "I hope for continuation of the competitions." These are some of the remakes made by the audience.

The 18th competition resulted in another great opportunity to motivate not only speakers but also students in attendance to study Japanese and deepen their understanding about Japanese culture.

Prize Winners of the 18th Japanese Speech Competition by International Students Residing in Gifu Prefecture:

Highest Award:

-Mr. Wang Chuncheng from Gifu Kyoritsu University

Speech title: "An Irreplaceable existence"

Award for Excellence:

-Ms. Estrada Marie Krissel Gonzales from Nakanihon Automotive College

Speech title: "Love = Happiness?"

-Mr. Sharma Pritiman from Nakanihon Automotive College

Speech title: "What I have learned from homeless"

-Ms. Fu Libei from Gifu University

Speech title: "Tokyo Olympic Games Spirit and I"