GIFU UNIVERSITY

JAPANNEWS Letter 48
2020 MarchFor International Exchange
Gifu University

International Month 2019A diverse range of cross-cultural events are conducted annually during “International Month” at Gifu University for the promotion ofinternational understanding. This edition highlights some of the exchange activities held in October 2019.

Special Commemorative Ceremony Honoring
the President of the Republic of Lithuania

GOctober 24

between Lithuania and Gifu Prefecture. In his memorial lecture,"Lithuania and Japan: The way forward," the President spoke
about the history of exchange, culture, economy and the futurebetween Lithuania and Japan. He concluded his speech byexpressing his strong wishes for an enduring, solid partnership
between the two countries.

ifu University had the honor of conferring an Honorary
Doctorate to the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Dr.
Gitanas Nausėda during his visit to Gifu University. The president
was visiting Japan for the enthronement ceremony to celebrate His
Majesty the Emperor's accession to the throne. During his stay, hevisited Gifu Prefecture because of the strong historical/cultural ties

2 – 30 Exhibition of Gifu University’ s Global Public Relations Activities

OctoberInternational Month
Events / Activities

7, 8Gifu Joint Degree Symposium 20199Bi-monthly English Circle of Friends

24

Memorial Lecture and Honorary Degree Awarding Ceremony

29

International Exchange Party hosted by the President

30

Aigi Career Development Consortium for International Students Gifu Region Workshop 2019
Bi-monthly English Circle of Friends

G I FU U N I V E RS IT Y

12020 MarchGifu Joint Degree Symposium 2019

October 7 and 8

U-GLOCAL hosted "Gifu Joint Degree Symposium 2019" atNagaragawa Convention Center (Gifu City) in commemoration ofthe launching of four Joint Degree (JD) Master’s and Doctoral
programs with our counterpart overseas research institutions, Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) and the National University ofMalaysia (UKM).
At the opening of the symposium, Gifu University President Moriwaki
and invited dignitaries which included Dr. Sitharam (Director of IITG),
Dr. Shukor (Vice-Chancellor of UKM), Mr. Muivah (Secretary of North
East Council of Indian Government), and Dr. Biswas (former director ofIITG) greeted the audience of approx. 220 people. Their greetings werefollowed by a keynote speech by Mr. Kuniaki Sato from MEXT.
Convening academic sessions focused on discussions on sustainable
developments. Panel discussions were also presided on the theme ofthree-way collaboration among Japanese, Indian and Malaysianindustry-government-academia. Video messages from the Federationof Industry & Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER), and fromthe first batch of JD students at IITG and UKM were aired publicly.
The symposium resulted in establishing a significant milestone toward
a successful implementation of the JD programs in the years to come.

GKeynote speech by Mr. Sato (MEXT)

President Moriwaki's opening address(from right) Vice-Chancellor of UKM and Director of IITG

FINER Delegation Toured Regional Companies

November 10 - 15A

major pillar of the newly-launched
JD programs between Gifu
University and IITG involves theconcept of “Giving Back to Local Communities.”
In correlation to this concept, GU-GLOCAL
organized company inspection tours for thedelegation from the Federation of Industry &Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER, India).
The members of FINER first paid a courtesy call on
Mayor of Hashima City and the representatives ofthe city’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry atTextile Material Center (located in Hashima City,Gifu). They went on to inspect 13 different regional
enterprises in Gifu, Aichi, Mie prefectures andTokyo during their stay in Japan.

G I FU U N I V E RS IT Y

2President Moriwaki and Mr. Muivah

2020 MarchStudying at Gifu University
December 11

Juni-Hitoe Traditional Kimono Workshop

An UnexpectedJourneyT

he Center for Japanese Language and Culture hosted the 6th Workshop on "Howto Wear Juni-Hitoe (twelve layered traditional kimono)” for international andJapanese students, teaching and administrative staff of the university in line with the goalof experiential learning. Participants also listened to “gagaku” (traditional court music)
being played, while closely watching a student model being dressed up in gorgeous,colorful kimonos.

Kor Eu Wei

Graduate School of Natural
Science and TechnologyI

December 2 - 27

Winter SchoolG

U-GLOCAL hosted the 5th Winter School, 2019 with five
students from IITG and UKM engaged in research lab
work and cultural events and activities (such as twelve-layered traditional kimono
workshop, making Japanese sweets). They also joined a company inspection tour during
their stay in Gifu.

Malaysia

had never thought that I would
have the opportunity to study inJapan, and this is my first time ever tolive aboard for such a long time. Myfirst impression towards Japan is thepoliteness of its people. After setting
foot in this country, I found it true, asI have really got along with Japanesepeople well, especially my friends in thelaboratory which I belong to. I am
grateful to have them to share joy andlaughter together amid hectic student
life. The cheerful experience that I havegained has made me fell in love in thisLand of Rising Sun, and I would stay
positive all the time in the face of anylife challenges.

Studying Abroad
Study Abroad Fair Fall 2019

November 13

My life-changingExperiencein the State of UtahG

U-GLOCAL hosted "Study Abroad Fair Fall 2019: Let's
Expand Study Abroad Network." GU-GLOCAL staff
presented an overview of study abroad programs and scholarships
in the first half. This was followed by special booth exhibits set up
by participants from previous year’s study abroad programs, which
provided for direct face-to-face interaction with students who are
considering studying overseas. The booth sessions offered theexhibitors the opportunity to share their experiences and fieldquestions from the participants interested in more information
about the programs.

G I FU U N I V E RS IT Y

Mako Nakamura
Faculty of Regional Studies

BUtah State UniversityUSA

efore my departure to study at Utah
State University from August, 2018
to April 2019, I was told that class work and homeassignments there would be “daunting.” As it turned out, Iwas literally overwhelmed by the volumes of study workload. However, thanks to the kind support from my classmates who sometimes studied with me far into the nights,and many dedicated teachers around
me, I spent a wonderful, unforgettableeight-month campus life. Needless tosay, I also enjoyed fulfilling break withfriends away from my studies onweekends. We cooked, talked and hungout together.
My life in the U.S. can be epitomized
by: “full of excitement, self-reflection,and chattering”

32020 MarchDisaster Prevention Drills

Deeper Collaboration between Gifu University
and Northern Kentucky University

November 1

December 14PA

resident of Northern Kentucky University (NKU),Dr. Ashish K. Vaidya and Executive Director ofthe Center for Global Engagement, Dr. François Le Roy paid acourtesy call on President Hisataka Moriwaki. Student and faculty
exchanges between NKU and GU have continued to remain very
active since the conclusion of exchange agreement in 1990. In themeeting, both presidents agreed to further deepen the partnership
between both institutions in many years to come.

Disaster Prevention Event for Foreign Residents, which wasco-sponsored by Gifu University and Gifu City, was held on
campus. During the session: "What should I do when anearthquake strikes", the experts provided tips on how to protect
oneself from a major earthquake. In addition, participants got ataste of life in makeshift shelters set up in the gymnasium. During
the session: "How to Support Foreign Citizens", the presenters
discussed support for foreign nationals in time of emergencies.
Other activities included sampling emergency foods, operating
AED equipment, and confirmation of local residential evacuationsites.

Aigi Career Development Consortium for International Students
Career Development Program for International Students of MEXT
Gifu University International Student Employment Promotion Program
Networking with Local CompaniesEventNovember 27

G

U-GLOCAL hosted "The 8thNetworkingwithLocal
Companies" event with the purpose ofoffering international students insights
into Gifu’s local businesses andindustries. The event was attended byapproximately 60 students. Fifteencompanies with overseas branches set
up booths where participants could
drop by for information exchange
and/orquestions.
Aninternshipconsultation desk was specially set up
to facilitate “bridging” students andbusiness personnel.

Gifu Region Workshop
October 30

F

our consortia members from theAigiCareer
Development
Consortium for International Students,
namely: Gifu Prefecture, Gifu Employers'
Association, Japan External Trade
Organization (JETRO) Gifu and Gifu
University co-hosted the “Gifu Region
Workshop 2019" for the purpose ofsupportinginternational
students'
job-seeking efforts in Japan. A total of 83
people, including students, company
representatives, and educational instituteofficials attended the event. Speeches,informal meetings and a buffet-style meal
were offered to promote informationexchanges and networking.

Published by the Gifu University Organization for Promotionof Glocalization (GU-GLOCAL)
General International Affairs OfficeE-mail : int_exch@gifu-u.ac.jp
Inbound and Outbound Student Affairs Office E-mail : direcent@gifu-u.ac.jp

Gifu Regional Council
for the Promotionof International Exchange
What is Gifu Regional Council
for the Promotion of International Exchangeor Giryukyo?

The Gifu Regional Council for the Promotionof International Exchange was establishedto facilitate smooth acceptance of international
students and exchange activities in Gifu
Prefecture. The council is comprised ofrepresentatives from universities, local
governments, business organizations,international exchange associations and civicbodies.

Japanese Speech Competitionby International Students Residing inGifu PrefectureNovember 23

Since 2001, the Gifu Regional Council for
the Promotion of International Exchange
has annually hosted the “Japanese SpeechCompetition by International Students Residing
in Gifu Prefecture” in order to raise students'
interests in Japanese language and enhancetheir language skills.
In the 18th competition, 13 students
from five institutions (representingsix countries) participated. Thespeeches delivered truly reflectedeach individual’s sincerity anddiligence in their Japanese studies.

Newsletter for International Exchange Gifu University Vol.48
https://www.glocal.gifu-u.ac.jp/en/planning/data/newsletter/index.html