Gifu University held the 1st press conference by president AY 2020 on June 30.

First, President Hisataka Moriwaki spoke about the theme, "Regional Development Vision 2030: Creation of New Values for Regions and Transformation Toward Knowledge-Intensive Society" in relation to "TOKAI-PRACTISS (TOKAI Project to Renovate Area Chubu into Tech Innovation Smart Society)." His speech was followed by the vision summary given by Professor Wang Zhigang, Vice President for Academic Research, Industry-Academia Collaboration and Information. After Professor Wang, Professor Sakae Mitsui, Director of the Co-Design Research Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Associate Professor Junji Moribe (also from Co-Design Research Center), and Associate Professor Morihiro Harada, Director of the Regional Adaptation Research Center, Institute for Advanced Study, introduced some notable, specific programs to be implemented to realize the vision.

The "Regional Development Vision 2030" is a comprehensive initiative combining Gifu University's basic policies for research and partnership among industry, government and academia, and its action plan for the missions of the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System. Under this new system, Gifu University and Nagoya University were brought into a single academic entity on April 1, 2020. The vision has 22 research projects. Professor Mitsui and Associate Professor Moribe both of whom are currently working on social system designing through assessing impacts of the new Chuo Shinkansen superconducting magnetic levitation (maglev) railway line on local communities, made the following comments: "As community-building consultants, we would like to serve a role of think tank to enrich people's lives. To revitalize communities, it is crucial to disseminate necessary information to the public at much lower cost and safely. These are what we are working on right now."

Associate Professor Harada who is researching climate change and depopulation problems said, "In recent years, climate change and depopulation issues are posing a serious challenge to all of us. In this respect, our actions for the next ten years will be of significant importance to everyone." He also added that cross-sectional interdepartmental collaboration, partnership with communities are one of key factors for realization of ideal river basin environment for the 22nd century.

Gifu University continues to engage in various community revitalization efforts in the years to come.