On December 4 and 5, the Gifu Joint Degree Symposium 2025 was held at the Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE) and other venues on the Gifu University campus.
Prior to the main symposium, an Academic Session was held on December 4, featuring lectures by faculty members from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
The main symposium, hosted by the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS) on December 5, attracted 95 participants both in person and online. The event opened with addresses by THERS Chancellor MATSUO Seiichi and Executive Trustee and Vice Chancellor YOSHIDA Kazuhiro (President of Gifu University). This was followed by a keynote speech by Ms. FURUYA Kaori, Senior Specialist from the Higher Education Bureau of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), titled "Promoting International Student Mobility and University Globalization."
Next, IITG Director Devendra Jalihal introduced the IITG's activities, followed by video messages from students participating in Joint Degree Programs (JDP) at the University of Tsukuba (Ibaragi Prefecture) and Nagoya University (Aichi Prefecture), as well as a Gifu University JDP graduate.
During the panel discussion on "Student Exchange with Global South Countries," representatives from Nagoya University, University of Tsukuba, Yamaguchi University (Yamaguchi Prefecture), and Gifu University engaged in lively discussions on the significance, challenges, and future prospects of educational exchange with universities in the Global South¹.
In the afternoon, the Collaboration Session (Industry, Academia, Banking Institution and Government Collaboration Session) was held under the theme "Corporate Activities Driving the Transition to a Sustainable Society." Part I introduced the activities of the Gifu University JDP Consortium and initiatives by participating companies focusing on the utilization of bamboo-based biomass resources. Part II, titled "Nature-Positive Agriculture and Biomass Utilization," featured case studies and discussions led by the Tokai Regional Agricultural Administration Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Kirin Holdings Company, Limited.
In addition to the main venue at iGCORE, booths showcasing local companies and cultural exhibits were set up in the library's entrance hall, attracting many visitors, including guests from overseas. The symposium proved to be a highly fruitful event throughout the day. Gifu University will continue to promote regional internationalization through activities such as hosting symposiums with JDP as a driving force.
1) countries that are generally less economically developed and are located mostly in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania.
Keynote Speech by Ms. Furuya
Collaboration Session
IITG Director and Faculty Visiting Booth Exhibits
