Organization Chart

By Collaborating between Teaching and Administrative Staff, Promoting Glocalization and Giving Back to the Community

Gifu University Organization for Promotion of Glocalization (GU-GLOCAL) was established on April 1st, 2019 with the aim of promoting glocalization and giving back to the community the fruits.
GU-GLOCAL consists of four main divisions: International Collaborative Education Promotion Division, Glocalization Promotion Division, Study Abroad Promotion Division, International Affairs and Planning Division, and the Center for Japanese Language and Culture.
GU-GLOCAL endeavors to foster internationalization of Gifu University by promoting international collaborative education with a focus on joint degree programs, supporting Japanese students in their study abroad, and assisting international students in their academic activities on campus and dailylife in Japan.

Greetings from the GU-GLOCAL Executive Director

About the Gifu University Organization for Promotion of Glocalization (GU-GLOCAL) Prof. Dr. KOYAMA Hiroyuki, Executive Director, GU-GLOCAL

1. Background

In the midst of environmental transformation in the landscape of higher education, efforts to promote the university’s internationalization and contribution to the local regions play a pivotal role in sharing the research and educational benefits with the regions and strengthening the institutional functions. The Basic Plan for Promoting Education stipulates the future direction of educational policy as follows: “As expecting the further progression of globalization, developing global human resources who possess problem-solving skills for social and global challenges is crucial.” At the core of Gifu University’s internationalization strategy is “Gifu University’s vision for the future,” and establishment of Gifu University Head Office for Glocalization (GHOGL, former the Office for Academic Globalization) headed by Executive Director for International Affairs and Public Relations, Vice President in order to carry out the strategic reforms. The GHOGL consisted of the following three divisions: International Collaborative Education Promotion Division, International Exchange Promotion & International Exchange IR Division and Inbound and Outbound Student Basic Education Promotion Division. In April 2018, the Center for Japanese Language and Culture (formerly called International Student Center) was added into the organizational structure with the goal of strengthening the education system of Japanese language and culture for international students. In 2016 under the leadership of the Executive Director, GU-GLOCAL was given the mandate to form a special working group in preparation for obtaining permission from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for the establishment of four joint degree programs. Approval was finally obtained in AY2018. It is worthy of note that the joint devotion and enthusiasm among all the staff of Gifu University, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), and the National University of Malaysia (UKM) helped realize the implementation of these international joint masters and doctoral degree programs in April 2019 which aim to foster advanced professionals who are able to address local challenges as well as enhance the excellence of educators and researchers. The university has also put in place academic and welfare support system for JD students. Furthermore, the Japanese government has touted to “promote international students to Japan and strengthen the employment support programs for foreign students in Japanese enterprises” through improvement in Japanese language education and provision of mid- and long-term internship and career education. GU-GLOCAL, which organized a number of cross-departmental educational staff related to internationalization, was established to enable its stakeholders to participate and more effectively contribute in response to meeting both domestic and international needs.

2. Overview of GU-GLOCAL

Gifu University Organization for Promotion of Glocalization (GU-GLOCAL) (refer to the organization chart) was established with the aim of accelerating internationalization of the university and supporting activities which promote internationalization rooted in the local community as well as providing the benefits of internationalization to the community. GU-GLOCAL consists of five main divisions: International Collaborative Education Promotion Division, International Affairs and Planning Division (name changed), Study Abroad Promotion Division (name changed), the Center for Japanese Language and Culture, and Glocalization Promotion Division (the latest division). In addition, Glocalization Promotion Office, a newly-established administrative office supports the Glocalization Promotion Division which promotes employment efforts in local communities through international collaboration among local communities and industries based on joint degree programs. GU-GLOCAL endeavors to collaborate with faculties to foster internationalization of Gifu University through supporting various internationalization activities of its students, teaching and administrative staff.

-Excerpt (modified) of documents reported at Education and Research Council (held on February 21, 2019)

Reference:

Policy & Vision (Formulated on November 21, 2013)

Policy & Vision (Nov. 21, 2013).pdf

Mid-Term Objectives and Plan

Period III Mid-Term Objectives (Internationalization)

[Objectives]
Gifu University undertakes not only internationalization rooted in the local community, but also glocalization by providing the benefits of internationalization to the local community. The university promotes various policies that lead to internationalization. These include creating a multicultural international liberal arts course, organizing and expanding programs that bring Japanese and international students together, and reinforcing support for international students gaining employment opportunities.

Please refer to the following website for further details. (Japanese only)
Mid-Term Objectives and Plan, Annual Plan, and Evaluation （https://www.gifu-u.ac.jp/about/objectives/mid_obj.html）

Period III Mid-Term Plan (Internationalization)

Provision IV
(1) Measures to achieve internationalization go

• 1-i To promote campus internationalization by establishing and utilizing overseas lab stations at partner universities and promoting double degree programs as well as arranging and implementing joint degree programs by 2019.
• 1-ii To support international students’ studies and job hunting opportunities through establishing a strong cooperative network of internship programs with higher educational institutions overseas, and selecting appropriate educational and research training programs and workshops.
• 1-iii To increase the number of outbound Japanese students to over 500 during the Period III Mid-Term Objectives and Plan by establishing and offering various types of short term study-abroad programs.
• 1-iv To accelerate training and professional development of the university’s teaching and administrative staff through development of training programs with overseas partner universities.
• 1-v To conduct Institutional Research analysis on the university's internationalization activities in order to better serve the needs of local companies in their efforts to globalize and make a contribution to the local communities.
• 1-vi To establish programs that bring Japanese and international students together by reviewing and improving English conducted courses with the aim of leveraging fall enrollment in the Graduate School of Applied Biological Sciences and the Graduate School of Engineering, in addition to establishing a liberal arts program at the Faculty of Regional Studies.

Please refer to the following website for further details. (Japanese only)
Mid-Term Objectives and Plan, Annual Plan, and Evaluation（https://www.gifu-u.ac.jp/about/objectives/mid_obj.html）