On Thursday, April 1, 2021, AY 2021 First Press Conference by President was held.

Firstly, President Hisataka Moriwaki announced Gifu University's three-time highest evaluation of COC+* in relation to the University's goals as well as visions of the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System. It was followed by detailed explanations by Director Koichi Masukawa of the Center for Collaborative Study with Community, Gifu University.

Gifu University has been engaging in a wide-ranging COC** projects as a hub for regional revitalization, and for human resource development in the extensive form of COC+ projects through inter-university collaboration for years. In COC+ projects, Gifu University received the highest awards ("S") three times for our efforts in fostering young talents who can contribute to local communities. Gifu University is the sole academic institution in Japan that received the highest "S" evaluation three times to date.

The Center for Collaborative Study with Community was established in 2013 with the view to addressing regional agenda and contributing to local communities. The center now has 28 comprehensive cooperation agreements with local municipalities, and has been carrying out diverse programs for communities in conjunction with citizens and the private sector.

The center's feature program, "Next-Generation Regional Leader Fostering Program" aims to develop glocal human resources capable of "knowing real needs of communities," "finding issues to be tackled" and "working towards solutions." To nurture such individuals, the center encourages all university students to participate in the program. The program is made up of three courses: "Regional Leader Fostering Course," "Business Leader Fostering Course" and "Education Leader Fostering Course," all of which are jointly offered to students with other universities, local municipalities and private businesses.

In addition, the center's "Gifu Future Center" initiatives encompass the following two objectives: offering opportunities for dialogues among students, citizens, etc. to facilitate their problem-solving, and promotion of "Region-Centered Studies" to address regional issues through interdisciplinary approaches.

The Center for Collaborative Study with Community continues to expand its activities which include an introduction of new environment leader fostering course within the Next-Generation Regional Leader Fostering Program towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)***, and to extend its scope of actions from the university to Gifu Prefecture, Tokai Region and beyond. Its members are all committed to becoming an effective "platform" to meet various needs of people in the whole Tokai Region.

COC (Center of Community)** projects: projects of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Their objectives include reinforcing university functions to be a core of local communities where people, information and technology are brought together for problem-solving. To achieve these objectives, universities are expected to promote regional-based education, research and social contribution.

COC+ (Center of Community Program for Local Revitalization)* projects: projects of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Their objectives include assembling people together to regions for revitalization by: - offering attractive job opportunities to students in collaboration with universities, local governments and businesses and, - supporting university's curriculum reform efforts necessary to cultivate personnel sought by regions.

SDGs***: 17 interrelated global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all" set in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly.