From September 5 to 8, 2024, President YOSHIDA Kazuhiro and delegates from Gifu University visited the Université de Lille in France and Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) in the Republic of Lithuania. These two universities are Gifu University's partner institutions overseas.
During their visit, new agreements on joint supervision degree programs were signed with the respective universities. These agreements are the 'Cotutelle Agreement on Double Doctoral Degree Program between the Université de Lille and the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences (UGSAS), Gifu University,' and the 'Memorandum of Agreement on Joint Doctoral Supervision and Training between Agriculture Academy, VMU and UGSAS in Gifu University.'
On September 5, the delegation visited their first destination, the Université de Lille in northern France. There, the agreement on a double doctoral degree program was signed by President Régis Bordet, Professor Patrick Vermersch, Head of Doctoral School BSL from the Université de Lille, President Yoshida, and Professor HIRAMATSU Ken, Dean of UGSAS from Gifu University. The following day, the delegation was invited to tour the university facilities, as well as the Musée de l'Institut Pasteur de Lille, where the history and scientific achievements of Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) are highlighted. Through their participation in the tour, the delegation members gained insights into the Université de Lille and the vibrant city of Lille, a cultural hub with a strong academic presence.
On September 8, the delegation visited the Agricultural Academy at VMU in Kaunas, Lithuania. Professor Juozas Augutis, Rector of VMU, and Professor Astrida Miceikienė, Chancellor of Agriculture Academy, along with President Yoshida and Professor Hiramatsu, signed the agreement at a signing ceremony. After the signing, the university staff guided the delegation through the university’s research facilities. They had the opportunity to observe exhibits of wildlife specimens and a site for brewing herb-infused beer. In the afternoon, they visited the Sugihara House, the former residence of Chiune Sugihara¹⁾(1900–1986), a Japanese diplomat from Gifu Prefecture. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Ramunas Garbaravicius, Chairman of the Sugihara Foundation.
The recent visit by the Gifu University delegation to two partner universities is expected to further promote student and research exchanges, particularly in the field of agricultural sciences, in the future.
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1) A Japanese diplomat who was born in Gifu and served as vice-consul for the Japanese Empire in Kaunas, Lithuania. During the Second World War, Sugihara helped thousands of Jews flee Europe by issuing transit visas to them so that they could travel through Japanese territory, risking his job and the lives of his family.
Signing ceremony at the University of Lille
Group photo at the University of Lille
Signing ceremony at VMU
Group photo at VMU
Group photo at Sugihara House
