In 2021, Gifu University and Gifu Prefecture jointly established "Gifu Space Project Study Meeting (Chairperson: President Kazuhiro Yoshida of Gifu University)" to make aerospace industry one of crucial growth industries in Gifu Prefecture. As part of Study Meeting activities, "Kickoff Events" were held at Gifu University to mark the start of "Gifu High School Sat (GHS) Project (one of senior high school-university alliance programs)" on Saturday, April 23, 2022.

The Center for Collaborative Study with Community and the Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University host "Space Engineering Seminar" and "Cansat Competition" every year. "GHS Project" is a human resource development project for space promoted by Gifu University and associated organizations. Under strong alliance between senior high schools in Gifu and Gifu University, high school students engage in designing, manufacturing, launching and operating small-scale artificial satellites.

On April 23, a total of 70 people attended the Events including teachers, students from four high schools (National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Gifu College, Kani Technical High School, Ogaki Technical High School and Ginan Technical High School), and representatives from aerospace businesses in Gifu Prefecture.

"Kickoff Events" began with speeches by President Yoshida, Mr. Sakiura, Director of Department of Commerce, Labor and Industry, Gifu Prefecture and Mr. Hori, Superintendent of Gifu Prefectural Board of Education. They were followed by summary presentations about Study Meeting and GHS Project, lecture and message for students by Professor Tsuda, (Hayabusa 2 Project Manager, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, JAXA), Visiting Professor Imai (KOSEN-1 Satellite Project Manager) from National Institute of Technology, Kochi College. Students later formed groups with students from different schools and took part in group works, discussed proposals for future projects, made presentations and received feedback (from Former President Hisataka Moriwaki of Gifu University and Professor Toshiaki Murai, Dean of Faculty of Engineering).

Students keep on working for a small-scale artificial satellite being supported by GU professors, students and officials from aerospace-related businesses in Gifu. It will take two years and six months before they are ready to launch a satellite.