The Center for Collaborative Study with Community, Gifu University held a closing ceremony for "Space Engineering Seminar 2021," on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

The seminar is held every year as part of "Senior High School & University Partnership Program" of COC+,* which offers senior high school students an opportunity to experience educational and research activities at Gifu University firsthand. The major objectives of the seminar are: convey the real strengths and advantages of Gifu Prefecture's aerospace industry, and motivate students to find an employment in aeronautical and space engineering-related businesses in the future. Around 120 people attended the closing ceremony. "Cansat** Competition Gifu" was also held on the same day at the athletic field of Gifu University.

Cansat competition began in the morning of December 18. Launching of each Cansat was thoroughly examined and evaluated by screeners. The "Space Engineering Seminar 2021" closing ceremony held in the afternoon began with a speech by the President Hisataka Moriwaki of Gifu University who announced the continuation of the seminar in 2022 and beyond. His speech was followed by evaluations of post-competition presentations by the students, introduction of "Gifu Space Project Study Meeting" and a special lecture, "Talk with female space enthusiasts."

In the closing ceremony, after certificates of completion were handed from Professor Kouichi Masukawa, Director of the Center for Collaborative Study with Community to individual students, an awarding ceremony was conducted for students who won "Moriwaki Award" for their excellent report making. Professor Toshiaki Murai, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering delivered closing remarks marking the end of "Space Engineering Seminar 2021."

After all the events and ceremonies were over, participants, guests, staff etc. were invited to join Gifu University campus tour. In the following exchange meeting by the members of "Gifu Space Project Study Meeting" (Chairperson: President Moriwaki), a lecture, "Possibilities and Future of Space Business" was delivered by Mr. Masatoshi Nagasaki, President of SpaceBD Inc., and an awarding ceremony for "Cansat Competition Gifu" followed. Later, the participants exchanged their ideas and views on space in a "free talking session."

Space Engineering Workshop 2022 is scheduled to open in collaboration with "Gifu Space Project Study Meeting."

"Gifu Space Project Study Meeting"

Established in 2021 to discuss and carry out specific plans/agenda to foster suppliers of space equipment (mainly for artificial satellites) by utilizing expertise and knowledge acquired by aerospace businesses within Gifu Prefecture in manufacturing aircrafts, etc., and to study educational curriculum necessary to develop highly-skilled space engineers for aerospace businesses in the future.

*COC+: Center of Community Program for Local Revitalization of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

**Cansat: a type of sounding rocket used to teach space technology, similar to miniaturized satellites