On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, two delegates from Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy, Republic of Lithuania, paid a courtesy call on Gifu University. They were Prof. Dr. Astrida Miceikiene, Chancellor of VMU Agriculture Academy, and Ms. Virginija Kargyte, Deputy Director for International Affairs of Bioeconomy Research Institute at VMU Agriculture Academy.

Since the conclusion of university-level exchange agreement between Gifu University and VMU in January 2012, the two universities have actively engaged in student and faculty exchanges for more than ten years. In 2022, seven members of Gifu University, led by Vice President KAMBARA Shinji (International Affairs, Information and (Deputy in Charge for) Evaluation), visited VMU and exchanged opinions regarding the possibilities of starting collaborative educational programs at the doctoral level.

In Gifu University, the two delegates held talks with Vice President Kambara, Professor HIRAMATSU Ken, Dean of the United Graduate School of Agricultural Science (UGSAS), Professor MOURI Tetsuya from the Faculty of Engineering, and Professor YAYOTA Masato from the Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences. First, the two delegates spoke about the sphere of research at the Agriculture Academy, along with its partnership with business communities. Later, they shared their thoughts with the GU staff regarding the prospects and challenges in launching collaborative educational programs between the Agriculture Academy and UGSAS.

Professor YABE Tomio from the Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences also joined the subsequent luncheon meeting with the delegates at a newly built 'Tokai Open Innovation Complex' building on campus and a laboratory inspection tour around the Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences building.

It is expected that the latest visit by the two delegates from VMU Agriculture Academy will lead to a successful launch of new educational programs and continued active interchange among students and faculty members between Gifu University and VMU in the future.