ÅÝܽÊÓƵ and Gifu University, under the THERS umbrella, and six other national universities (Nagoya Institute of Technology, Aichi University of Education, Toyohashi Technical University, Mie University, Shizuoka University and Hamamatsu University School of Medicine) in the Tokai region of Japan have established the Collaboration and Co-creation Framework of National Universities in Tokai (C-FRONT). C-FRONT is a network that aims to improve communication and cooperation and streamline resource sharing among these universities to enhance the region's international competitiveness. The agreement was signed on January 9th, 2024, during a ceremony at the JR Gate Tower, located above Nagoya Station.Ìý
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ÌýHeads of the 8 universities and THERS following the first meeting of C-FRONT
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The Tokai region, consisting of Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu and Mie prefectures, is the industrial heartland of Japan. Its national universities produce some of the best scientific research in the country, including Nagoya University's six Nobel Laureates. C-FRONT will work with industry, local government and other educational organizations to further strengthen the region.Ìý
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ÌýÅÝܽÊÓƵ and THERS headquarters on the Higashiyama Campus
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What can we expect from C-FRONT in the short term? It's still very early days, said ÅÝܽÊÓƵ President Naoshi Sugiyama in his , but many interesting ideas were presented at the first meeting. "I am particularly interested in the idea of partnerships for faculty development," he wrote. "Niche fields face real problems in recruiting sufficient staff, and we can work together to ensure that we have sufficient human resources."ÌýThe nine core members (heads of the eight universities and THERS) will meet several times a year. They will initially focus on information exchange with the aim of establishing new research partnerships and forging long-term links to carry higher education in the Tokai region into the second half of the 21st century.Ìý