Gifu University has initiated the 'GU Students, Let's Experience Living in the Community' project. Under this project, GU students will begin residing in apartments and other accommodations in Ibigawa Town (Gifu Prefecture), which can be conveniently accessed from the university within approximately 30 minutes by car. Approximately 60% of GU students are from the neighboring Aichi Prefecture. They commute by train and by bus, but the bus transfer at JR Gifu Station takes time due to long queues of people waiting for the bus during rush hours. On the other hand, in Ibigawa Town, there are challenges related to dwindling birthrates, aging population, depopulation, and decline of the local community, with more young people leaving the town.

We are expecting that this new project will result in creating a conducive learning and research environment for students to study and conduct research activities safely and comfortably. Additionally, through students' participation in grassroots activities, they can contribute to revitalizing and enlivening Ibigawa Town, fulfilling their roles in the community.

Gifu University and Ibigawa Town concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement in January of 2016. Since then, the Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University in particular, has been promoting collaborative activities with the town in teaching and research programs.

On Monday, February 26, 2024, Gifu University and Ibigawa Town signed a new agreement to launch the project, and they have been recruiting and selecting prospective residents since January 2024. The selected students will begin residing in apartments and other accommodations in Ibigawa Town starting from this April. We continue to enhance the educational and research environment for students, and we remain committed to working together with Ibigawa Town towards the realization of regional growth and development.