Gifu University hosted the "13th Gifu COC+ Projects Promotion Consortium Operation Meeting" on Monday, November 27, 2023. The consortium was established to promote the COC+¹ projects titled, "Make a big step in Gifu × Bring a plus to Gifu: joint development of a region-oriented business leader" and Gifu University is playing a leading role in implementing the COC+ projects. The consortium members are jointly carrying out diverse regional revitalization activities to build a vibrant, prospering community and to realize sustainable growth by encouraging the youths to settled down in Gifu Prefecture.

The members of the consortium are: Gifu University, Chubu Gakuin University (Gifu Prefecture), Chubu University (Aichi Prefecture), Nihon Fukushi University (Aichi Prefecture), Nagoya Gakuin University (Aichi Prefecture), the Gifu Prefectural Government, the Gifu Employer's Association, The Juroku Bank, Ltd., Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank, Mynavi Corporation (recruitment/ad agency), Gifu Prefecture Mayors Association, Gifuken chousonkai (association of towns/villages), Gifuken Internship Conference, Gifu Kyoritsu University (observer).

The meeting was attended by the presidents of member universities and representatives of member organizations. They reviewed and evaluated the consortium's FY 2022 activities. The following are the final assessments for the consortium's FY 2022 activities:

- General Assessment: S (performing significantly better than an original plan)

- Educational Activities: S (performing significantly better than an original plan)

- Quantitative Goal Achievement: A (performing better than an original plan)

The consortium members agreed that all member universities and organizations worked together to foster the next generation of regional leaders, carried out various joint programs by member universities such as "Summer School" programs and "Company Inspection" programs. The members also confirmed that thanks to a strong connection between university students and companies in Gifu Prefecture, not only students from Gifu, but also educational programs graduates, students from different prefectures including the neighboring Aichi Prefecture have found employment in Gifu. Some members expressed their hopes for continuation of many successful COC+ projects and their further development in the future. Others stressed the importance of career education for students such as implementation of internship programs in consideration of early job offers for 4th year university students.

Lastly, the members agreed with an extension of the consortium's tenure by March 31, 2025.

The Gifu COC+ Projects Promotion Consortium remains committed to reinforcing partnership among member universities and organizations for a sustainable, extensive implementation of COC+ projects to contribute to strong growth in the community.

1) COC+ (Center of Community Program for Local Revitalization) projects: projects of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. Their objectives include assembling people to a region for its revitalization through: - offering attractive job opportunities to university students in collaboration with universities, local governments, and businesses and, - supporting university's curriculum reform efforts necessary to cultivate personnel who are needed by the community.