Students in the Next-Generation Regional Leader Fostering Program Receive Certificates of Appreciation from Central Nippon Expressway (NEXCO Central)

On April 24, 2026, students who completed the "Regional Leader Course," an advanced-level subject within Gifu University's "Next-Generation Regional Leader Fostering Program," visited the Nagoya Branch of Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited (NEXCO Central) to report on the results of their year-long activities.

The presentation was delivered by a team of three students who had worked in collaboration with NEXCO Central as part of the "Regional Leader Course." Focusing on the Tokai-Kanjo Expressway West Route (between Yamagata IC and Ono-Godo IC), which opened in fiscal 2025, the students developed a project themed on promoting the appeal of the areas along the expressway. As part of this effort, they created a brochure titled "Gifu University Students Share the Appeal of Gifu Strawberries Today," introducing the attractiveness of strawberries produced in Gifu Prefecture. The project was designed with the aim of promoting tourism and strengthening the branding of local agricultural products.

At the presentation, the students explained the progress of their activities and the ideas behind the brochure using slides. Employees of NEXCO Central asked questions such as how best to communicate the appeal of Gifu strawberries to visitors arriving via expressways from distant locations, and what kinds of ingenuity and challenges were involved in turning the concept into reality. This led to an active exchange of opinions. The project also received positive feedback, including praise for the excellent idea of focusing on Gifu strawberries along the Tokai-Kanjo Expressway.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Mr. NAKANE Toshiaki, Director, Gifu Maintenance / Service Center of NEXCO Central, presented each student with a certificate of appreciation. He also offered words of encouragement, noting that the students had made a significant contribution to the initiatives of the NEXCO Central Group and expressing hope that they would apply this experience to their future student life and efforts to address regional issues.

In addition, certificates of appreciation were presented to the faculty members in charge at the Center for Collaborative Study with Community (Associate Professor OMIYA Koichi, Assistant Professor ITO Koji, and Assistant Professor FUTAMURA Rei) by Mr. MAEKAWA Toshiaki, NEXCO Central Branch Manager, in recognition of their long-standing efforts in industry-academia collaboration.

The brochure created through this project will be distributed at strawberry farms within the prefecture, as well as at service areas (SA), parking areas (PA) under NEXCO Central's jurisdiction, and various tourist information centers.

Gifu University will continue to collaborate with local communities and businesses to work jointly on solving regional issues and fostering the next generation of leaders.