Gifu University Hosts Women's Cross-Industry Networking Seminar and Workshop Under Comprehensive Partnership Agreement with Juroku Financial Group

On September 2, 2026, Gifu University held a Women's Cross-Industry Networking Seminar and Workshop at the headquarters of The Juroku Bank under the theme "Working Healthily and Thriving at Work in Gifu While Being Our Authentic Selves." The event was organized as part of the initiatives undertaken through the Comprehensive Collaboration Agreement on Health and Well-being Management between Gifu University and Juroku Financial Group, Inc.

Gifu University and Juroku Financial Group signed the comprehensive partnership agreement on August 7, 2026 and have since been working together to promote employee health, enhance well-being, and jointly develop models for health and productivity management. The seminar was the first concrete initiative launched under the agreement. In addition to representatives from Gifu University, female employees from The Gifu Shimbun, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd., and Juroku Financial Group participated in the event.

The seminar opened with remarks from Ms. HAYAKAWA Yukari, Executive Officer of Juroku Financial Group, followed by a keynote lecture by Vice President OYABU Chiho of Gifu University, titled "Gender Equality and Creating Work Environments Where Women Can Thrive at Work While Being Their Authentic Selves." In her presentation, Vice President Oyabu emphasized the importance of viewing employee health promotion as an investment in human capital. She also discussed a range of issues essential to enabling women to continue working in a healthy and fulfilling manner, including the creation of supportive workplace environments, the promotion of women to leadership positions, greater participation of men in childcare, and the impact of unconscious bias, or implicit assumptions and prejudices. In addition, she introduced Gifu University's initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion.

Following the lecture, participants took part in a workshop centered on two themes: "What Does It Mean to Work Healthily While Being Our Authentic Selves?" and "The Appeal of Working in Gifu from a Cross-Industry Perspective, and the Challenges Facing Our Industries and Companies." Participants exchanged ideas in small groups and engaged in lively discussions about the challenges and initiatives within their respective workplaces. The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to gain new insights and perspectives unique to a cross-industry setting.

Gifu University will continue to advance initiatives fully utilizing strengths of both organizations under its comprehensive partnership agreement with Juroku Financial Group. Through collaboration with regional companies and organizations, the University remains committed to contributing to the promotion of health and productivity management and the enhancement of well-being throughout the region.