On Monday, July 8, 2024, Gifu University signed an inter-university agreement with the Université Internationale de Rabat (UIR) in the Kingdom of Morocco.

In May 2023, during a visit to Gifu University, H.E. Mr. Rachad BOUHLAL, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco to Japan, kindly proposed an academic exchange with UIR. Subsequently, in December of the same year, President YOSHIDA Kazuhiro and a delegation from Gifu University visited UIR at the invitation of President Noureddine Mouaddib. During their visit, they discussed the possibility of student and faculty exchanges, with a special focus on collaborative research in energy engineering.

During the UIR delegation's visit to Gifu University in July, the two universities signed an inter-university agreement to strengthen our friendly relationship. The signing ceremony was attended by President Yoshida, President Mouaddib, and the faculty members from both universities. President Yoshida expressed his expectation that this agreement will facilitate student exchanges and joint research across diverse fields. President Mouaddib also stated that through the signing of the inter-university agreement and the delegation's visit to Gifu University, both institutions are poised to enhance student exchanges, provide joint guidance for doctoral programs, and foster collaborative research.

After the signing ceremony, three faculty members from UIR introduced their research details, and Gifu University presented a wide range of initiatives from various research centers on campus. These included the Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), the Gifu Renewable Energy System Research Center (G-RESRC), and the Intelligent Production Technology Research and Development Center for Aerospace (IPTeCA). The UIR delegation was later invited to visit and engage in discussions with the research personnel at these institutes and centers.

With the recent visit by the UIR delegation to Gifu University and the signing of the inter-university agreement, we are committed to enhancing collaboration with UIR and accelerating internationalization efforts, including fostering future research exchanges between the two institutions.

Signing ceremony
(left) President Noureddine Mouaddib and President Yoshida

At IPTeCA
(from left)
-Professor Abdelaziz Benjouad, Vice-President for Research, Innovation & Partnerships
-Professor Nadia Yousfi Steiner
-Dr. Mohsine Bouya, General Director of the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
-Professor ITO Kazuaki, IPTeCA
-Dr. Jamal Boukouray, Director of International Relations & Partnerships
-Professor Abdellatif Bencherifa, Senior Advisor to the President, Director of Public Policy Center
-Dr. Aomar Boum, Member of the academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, Professor and Maurice Amado Endowed Chair in Sephardic Studies, UCLA Faculty Fellow at the International University of Rabat