GIFU UNIVERSITYJAPANNEWS Letter 45
October 2018

For International Exchange
Gifu University

University of Alberta
ELCS, EST, and Staff Training Program

August – SeptemberS

tudents from Gifu University participated in two short-term study abroad programs held in
the University of Alberta (UofA) this summer. One group of 29 students took part in thethree-week English Language & Culture Seminar (ELCS) Program focusing on improving theirEnglish communication skills and understanding of Canadian culture. Another group of 7
participants joined the six-week English for Science & Technology (EST) Program which was
initiated for the first time. The aim of the EST Program is to equip Japanese students with theEnglish language & academic learning skills necessary to perform science-related tasks. Students
who took part in this program also experienced a one-on-one laboratory partnership with researchgroups in the Department of Chemistry.
The ELCS group was accompanied by two administrative staff members. During their short stay in Alberta, they were involved in the
Administrative Training & Job Shadowing Program organized by the English Language School. Overall, the students and staff were able tospend a fun and productive summer.
ELCS

New

New

EST Program

Staff Training Program

Moment of Change: from “English to
study” to “English to communicate”

After my Study at the UofA

August 15 – September 6

August 15 – September 23

Mitsuki Kato

Sanako Kato

Hirokazu Otake

P

S

I

Faculty of Engineeringrior to my departure to the University ofAlberta (UofA), I had someexperiences studying abroad before. But I
was so nervous that I had some difficulties
speaking English for some time after
arriving in Canada. After noticing people
enjoying conversations with smiles
regardless of grammatical mistakes, I soon
realized that I was too self-conscious about
my English skills. “What matters most incommunicating with people is not speaking
perfect, flawless English.” This was my“moment of change.” Since then, I tried to
fully enjoy conversations with people, andstarted to appreciate the magnificent
natural beauty in Canada. I was fortunate
enough to talk with local people and felt
excited whenever I found myself able tocommunicate with them in English. “Action
speaks louder than words,” has become mymotto ever since.
Canada is a multiethnic country and is open
to people from around the world. It is alsorich in pristine nature and friendly people.
On the last day of my homestay, my hostfamily said to me, “Please come backsoon,” and the kids gave me a big hug
saying, “Miss you!” I was overflowed with asense of gratitude for them and everyone
who gave me this great opportunity to study
at the UofA for three weeks.

Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology

tudying at the University of Alberta(UofA; six weeks) was quite afascinating, exciting experience for me.
Under the new EST (English for Scienceand Technology, started in 2018) program,the participants are assigned to individuallaboratories for research work. Because the
UofA accepts a large number of students
from abroad every year, I found many
students of different nationalities working in
the laboratories. “Learn for the sake oflearning. You are here studying English tolearn, aren’t you? If so, you do not have toworry too much about causing trouble toothers. Learn, learn and learn,” said one of
my friends from India in the same lab. I was
surprised and touched by his words,
because I was less confident about myEnglish skills and believe that I was not on
par with my peers in terms of discussing
research themes and topics. I found thatevery international student coming from allover the world is quite assertive and highly
motivated. They are at the same time, very
tolerant and show respect to anyone
aspiring to improve themselves. Knowing
their approach for conducting researchoverseas and learning the systems in placein Canada will no doubt help me determine
the future path to take, and will shed somelight on the goals to pursue as a masterstudent in the days to come.

G I FU U N I V E RS IT Y

12018 Oct ober

Administrative Staff's Study-Abroad
Experience
August 15 – September 5
Hospital Administration Officeparticipated in the Staff Training Program
2018 at the University of Alberta (UofA)
for the same period as the Gifu University(GU) students attending the ELCS
program. The program was conducted at
the UofA for the first time this year, which
was designed to facilitate active
opinion-exchange among GU and the UofA
staff and improve GU staff’s English
proficiency.
My assignments included student escortand daily support. While brushing up on my
English by taking lessons at the UofA, I
spoke English every day, regardless ofwhether I was on duty or off duty.
Canadians show respect for others andlisten very carefully when they are spoken
to. I felt a strong sense of fulfillment when I
found myself able to communicate withlocal people.
Both GU students and staff were blessedwith many opportunities by being exposed
to a multicultural environment, and we
enjoyed every moment full of excitement
and joy. My experience at the UofA will no
doubt be instrumental in promoting theinternationalization of GU administrative
staff in the future.

Study Abroad Fair

Emergency & Risk Management
Orientation
July 11

April 18

G

ifu University Study Abroad Fair was held for students interested
in studying abroad. The fair provided a venue for
information-sharing about the language skills necessary to study
overseas and various study abroad programs offered to students.
The invited guests from the Council on International Educational
Exchange (CIEE) and the EIKEN Foundation of Japan explained that
TOEFL iBT and IELTS have already become global standards to gauge
the English proficiency required for study abroad. Their presentations
were followed by testimonials from students who studied abroad. They
spoke about new perspectives on life, encountering different cultures,and the creation of global human
networks, all of which are theresults of their studying abroad.
Explanations about the faculty-levelstudy abroad programs and travel
medicine / self-health management
conducted by Health Management
Center were also given to
approximately 70 people attending
the fair.

On July 11, the Emergency & Risk Management Orientation heldon campus was attended by approximately 80 students andstaff. This orientation is designed to provide crucial safety information
for those intending to study or travel abroad in the near future. The
topics provided at the orientation included such issues as (1) dealing
with and avoiding risks, (2) enhancing one’s self-awareness andemergency preparedness, and (3) risk management for health while
overseas.
Mr. Makoto Hattori from the Japanese Council for the Safety ofOverseas Students (JCSOS) was invited as a guest speaker, and hepresented actual cases of incidents overseas and current public safetyissues in different countries. Dr. Mayumi Yamamoto, Director/Professorof the Health Administration Center gave a lecture relating to travel
medicine including preparation of vaccination, and a comparison ofhealth care / insurance system between
Japan and abroad.
Most of the audience who have little
access to information pertaining to crimeand risk overseas listened attentively totheir presentations.

Summer School (Inbound)

June 27-July 25

T

he 31st Summer School (inbound) was held from June 27-July 25. Thirteen
students from Gifu University’s overseas partner institutions attended the program.
They were from Kasetsart University (Thailand), Northern Kentucky University (USA),
the National University of Malaysia (UKM, Malaysia), University of Electronic Scienceand Technology of China (China), Guangxi University (China), and Mokpo National
University (South Korea). While in Japan, besides attending
Japanese language classes, the students visited other locales in
Gifu Prefecture such as Seki City to observe the local cutlery
industry, Toki City for a pottery-making experience, and Gujo
City for homestay. They also experienced firsthand Nogaku
performances and sumo bouts.
The international students and Japanese student tutors from GU
stayed in the off-campus Extracurricular Seminar House for a month.
This provided them the opportunity to forge strong bonds with one
another by dining, studying, and sharing moments of joy together.

Three University Joint Academic
Symposium
April 14

U

T

Signing of Academic Cooperation
with Mariano Marcos State
September 10
University

niversity of Salamanca (Spain), Gifu Pharmaceutical University,and Gifu University Joint Academic Symposium was held in Gifu
as part of the University of Salamanca’s 800th anniversary celebration.
A delegation from Salamanca, represented by Rector Ricardo Rivero
Ortega, was invited to make presentations at the symposium. The three
universities later signed the Framework Agreement for Academic
Cooperation in the presence of Mr. Hajime Furuta, Governor of Gifu
Prefecture.

he signing ceremony with Mariano Marcos State University(MMSU, the Philippines), was held on September 10 in the Office of
the President at Gifu University. The ceremony was attended byPresident Shirley C. Agrupis and Associate Professor Rhoda Beth M.
Santos from MMSU. The relationship between the two universities
started with the active engagement by Dr. Agrupis who earned her
doctoral degree from the United Graduate School of Agricultural
Science in 2000.

The theme of the symposium was "Cancer Research at the Forefront:
Cancer Control," and two or three speakers from each university madetheir research presentations in frontof approximately 110 people. Bysigning the new agreement, thethree universities renewed theircommitment to the expansion ofinterdisciplinary
studiesandresearch collaboration with a special
emphasisonmedicineandpharmaceutical sciences.

With the official beginning of this cooperation, lively academic
exchanges are expected to take place in a wide range of fields, such as
inbound and outbound student
exchange in biological production andnew energy development, researcher
exchange in organic agriculture
focusing on decreased use of
agrichemicals,
waterresource
management, technological innovation,
bioenergy system development, andthe automation of agricultural work
(robotics and mechatronics).

G I FU U N I V E RS IT Y

22018 Oct ober

Delegation from the Universityof South Florida visits
May 23 – 25
Gifu University

Delegation from Kaunas
University of Technology visits
Gifu University

T

July 28

H

he University of South Florida (USF) is one of the largest universities
in the United States with a current student population of 48,000. The
General Agreement for Collaboration between the Gifu University Schoolof Medicine, Health Administration Center, and the University of South
Florida was signed in October 2016.

is Excellency Mr. Gediminas Varvuolis, Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania; Dr.
Aurelijus Zykas, Head of the Center for Asian Studies at Vytautas
Magnus University (VMU, Lithuania); and 52 members of the folk
dance ensemble “Nemunas” from Kaunas University of Technology
visited the Faculty of Engineering on July 28. They came to Japan toattend “Lithuania Now” hosted by Gifu Prefecture, which opened witha fascinating performance by the Nemunas members.

Ten people from USF Health, 20 from USF Honors College, and threeprofessors/instructors visited Gifu University. They attended a lecture on
the national health insurance system and disaster prevention, took part ina welcome lunch party with 78 nursing course students, joined the
medical English class, observed the University Hospital, performed kotoharp with the koto club members, inspected medical and welfare facilities,
and visited Hachiman Elementary School in Gujo City (Gifu), where they
had lunch and cleaned up after lunchwith the children. They also enjoyedwatching cormorant fishing on the
Nagara River in Gifu City.

During their visit to the Faculty of Engineering, the delegation was given
an overview of the faculty from Vice Dean, Professor Tomonao
Kobayashi. After an explanation of the Advanced Global Program (AGP)by Professor Tetsuji Kume, Director of the Global Promotion Office, thedelegation was invited to observe the laboratories of Professor
Kobayashi, Professor Kume, and Associate Professor Tetsuya Mouri.
In a lunch meeting, the delegation and faculty staff discussed ideas forfurther exchanges and strong partnership in the future.

In a meeting with President Hisataka
Moriwaki, he shook hands with every
student and presented each of them with asmall gift. A strong, enduring relationshipbetween USF and Gifu University is
expected with the delegation’s latest visit
to Gifu University.

Messages from International Students Studying at Gifu University

M

Japan,a Great School to
Achieve Your Dream

Take Courage andAction to RealizeYour Dream

India

China

Sonawane Amol DasharathFu Huizhen

Graduate School of Engineering

United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceMy name is Amol. I came to Japan in October 2016 to complete
my doctoral study at Gifu University and working under thesupervision of Professor Mamoru Koketsu, well known for his work
about organic synthesis focusing selenium chemistry. Our lab haveregular discussions as well as research paper presentations which help
us all to be actively involved with our research work and get to share
our ideas and learn from others.

y name is FU HUIZHEN. I am from China. I have finished
my master course from Guangxi university. And I cameto Japan October 2017. It was my first time to go abroad.
Everything was new for me. At the beginning, I felt nervous.
Fortunately, my laboratory members, supervisor and some ofChinese friends who study in Gifu University are very friendly
and helped me a lot.

I chose Japan for my higher studies because of the fact that manyeminent Noble laureates have been from this country and I also, seemyself contributing to the scientific fraternity by being part of suchan excellent system. Moreover, statistics reveal that 10 or more
universities from Japan hold position in the top 200 universities
around the world. Studying in another country will always greatly
improve your employability, but studying in Japan is particularly
valuable. There is something uniquely attractive about Japaneseculture that interests people from around the world. Life is very
comfortable. It is the safe and developed country. The public
transportation is reliable, thefood is very healthy.

I am very grateful to be able to get support from the Ministryof Education Scholarship of Japanese government. Thanks alot. And I would like to express my gratitude to my mastersupervisor, Pro. Yu Wenjin, who graduated from Gifu
University and helped me a lot for coming to study here. Now
I am adapting to the environment here. I think theenvironment of Gifu University is very suitable for study andthe life here is convenient. I would like to learn more about
Japanese and Japanese culture. It is helpful for life tounderstand a country culture when you live in it.
Everything is challenging. Summon up courage to face it andmiracles often happen. I will spare no effort to study hard togain more about how
to be a researcher
and leading a positive
life. I hope that one
day what I learn will
have contribution toagriculture, both inJapan and China.

I hope I will contribute to theDevelopment of Japan and India
not only in research but also inculture. I am grateful toJapanese government for thescholarship (MEXT). It is still longrun-way to reach, but I am
enjoying my journey in Japan.

G I FU U N I V E RS IT Y

32018 Oct ober

Biotechnology for the Future Seminar

May 25T

he Japan Bioindustry Association (JBA) and Gifu University co-hosted
the "Biotechnology for the Future Seminar; Bioresources in Northeast
India, Research on Food Biopolymer -Industry-Government-Academia
Collaboration by Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) and Gifu
University" in Tokyo on May 25.

he spoke about the significance of four joint degree programs (JD) to be
implemented with Gifu University's overseas partner institutions in 2019.
The seminar ended with a speech by Professor Hiroyuki Koyama of theFaculty of Applied Biological Sciences titled; "JD Platform with IITG;
Development of Bioresources and Green Economy in India."First, Dr. Daisuke Shibata from Kazusa DNA Research Institute gave his
presentation concerning the status and potentials of bioresources in thestate of Assam, India. The following are the speeches given by the otherguest speakers:- "Industrial Use of Sustainable Polymer" by Dr. Vimal Katiyar from IITG
- "Industrial Use of Biological Pesticide and Genetically Engineered
Plants" by Dr. Lingaraj Sahoo from IITG
- "What International Collaborative Education (Joint Degree Programs) is
Aiming For" by Mr. Tatsuya Kitaoka from the Gifu Prefectural Board of
Education
Mr. Kitaoka worked for the University Promotion Division, Higher
Education Bureau, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology (MEXT) and was responsible for drafting the guidelines forinternational collaborative education courses. From his own experiences,

Toward Establishing Four International Collaboration JD Programs in 2019
The First Seminar by the International
Collaborative Education Promotion Division:"JD Advantages"

Press Conference by the President

April 26

July 30

TT

he first seminar by the International Collaborative
Education Promotion Division on the theme of "JD
Advantages" was held at Gifu University on April 26.
Dr. Daisuke Shibata from Kazusa DNA ResearchInstitute was invited as a guest speaker, and gave anaddress titled, "International Collaborative Food
Science and Technology Course with IITG: Course
Advantages and Expectations from the BusinessCommunity." He spoke about the potential merits andstrong expectations from the business circle inproducing many talented personnel cultivated under thebusiness-academia collaborative platform by working
with IITG. He also introduced his views on world affairs,
the future of Japan and India, and food science today.
He wrapped up his speech by saying to the students,"Take the plunge and meet the challenge."I

he press conference by the President was held on July 30.At the outset,
President Hisataka Moriwaki explained the role of the new Joint Degree(JD) Program in Food Science and Technology (master's and doctoral levels)with Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) in the Gifu University
Future Vision Toward 2025. It was followed by a presentation by Dr. Fumiaki
Suzuki, Executive Director for International Affairs and Public Relations, Vice
President. He spoke about the background and overview of the JD program.
Later, Professor Akio Ebihara and Associate Professor Emiko Yanase (bothworking for the Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, and to be assigned as
specially-appointed JD coordinators) detailed the program content, anddifficulties they have undergone so far in establishing the program.
Gifu University continues to promote joint research activities andinternationalization of students and the university, while supporting industries
in Gifu and its surrounding Tokai Region toward their advancement into themarkets of JD partner countries, as well as a solid growth in food and otherrelated industries.

What is Joint Degree Program?

n a joint degree (JD) program, a single degree certificate is awarded by two or more partner universities to a student who has completed the program
implemented by the partner universities. Gifu University has been carrying out a number of exchange programs with Indian Institute of Technology
Guwahati and the National University of Malaysia since 2015 toward the establishment of four international collaboration JD programs in 2019.

Published by the Gifu University Head Office for Glocalization (GHOGL)
General International Affairs Section
E-mail : int_exch@gifu-u.ac.jp
Inbound and Outbound Student Affairs Section E-mail : direcent@gifu-u.ac.jp

Newsletter for International Exchange Gifu University Vol.45
https://www.gifu-u.ac.jp/en/international/newsletter/newsletter.html