Information Session Held for the Establishment of the Social Impact and Innovation Research Core (SIRC)
Gifu University will establish a new unit within the Institute for Advanced Study in April 2026: the Social Impact and Innovation Research Core (SIRC).
In advance of its launch, an information session for prospective SIRC members and relevant internal stakeholders was held on Monday, March 16, 2026, at the TOIC Gifu Site (also known as the OKB Gifu University Plaza). Approximately 60 participants attended the session, including those who joined online.
At the beginning of the session, President YOSHIDA Kazuhiro reviewed Gifu University's efforts to strengthen research capabilities to date, as well as its initiatives as a regional core university. He also explained that SIRC is expected to play a central role in future university reforms and called for a university-wide shift in mindset and enhanced collaboration.
This was followed by an overview of the purpose of establishing SIRC and its organizational structure presented by Vice President Wang Zhigang. He introduced Gifu University's unique approach of integrating knowledge from both inside and outside the University to promote social implementation research based on societal and corporate challenges and then feeding the achievements back into fundamental research. He explained that SIRC aims to further develop this cyclical model.
During the question-and-answer session, there was active discussion on topics such as SIRC's support systems and ways for students to participate. President Yoshida emphasized the University's commitment to creating an environment in which researchers and support organizations can work together collaboratively as one unified institution.
This information session served as an opportunity to share the direction of university reform to be led by SIRC, as well as Gifu University's vision of becoming a "university, committing to social implementation through co-creation."
Under the slogan "Turning social challenges into future value," SIRC will move forward by integrating education, research, and social implementation as a unified whole.
