LSMU and Gifu University Sign Letter of Intent on Academic Cooperation

On 5 November, a delegation of representatives from universities, government and businesses in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture visited the Emmanuel Levinas Centre of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU). During the visit, a letter of intent on academic cooperation was signed.

The guests were welcomed by LSMU Rector Prof. Rimantas Benetis, Chancellor of the Medical Academy Prof. Daiva Rastenytė, Chancellor of the Veterinary Academy Prof. Mindaugas Malakauskas, Vice-Rector for Clinical Medicine and Director General of Kauno Klinikos Prof. Renaldas Jurkevičius, and Vice-Rector for Studies Prof. Indrė Čeponienė.

The delegation visiting the University included Governor of Gifu Prefecture Yoshihide Esaki, Vice-Chairperson of the Gifu Prefectural Assembly Kosei Nagaya, Mayor of Yaotsu Town in Gifu Prefecture Masanori Kaneko, President of Gifu University and President of the Gifu–Lithuania Friendship Association Prof. Kazuhiro Yoshida, Vice-President of Gifu University Prof. Lee Wah Lim, and Prof. Nobuhisa Matsuhashi of the Division of Gastroenterological and Paediatric Surgery at Gifu University.

Other members of the delegation included Chairman of the Gifu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania in Gifu Yukio Murase; Chairman of Maruei Eiichi Sawada and his wife, Yumiko Sawada; Representative Director of M K Medix Motoko Chimori; Executive Director of the Gifu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tsuyoshi Kato; and Deputy Executive Director of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Gifu Prefectural Government Koji Itazu.

Cooperation for progress and better future

In his welcoming address, LSMU Rector Prof. Rimantas Benetis highlighted cooperation in medical device development as an area of particular interest to both parties.

“The signing of this letter of intent is a very important event for our University. Our partnership with Gifu University opens up opportunities to bring together expertise in health sciences and technology. Gifu Prefecture is renowned for its expertise in the development, manufacture and design of medical equipment, and we would very much like to explore opportunities for working together in this field,” said the Rector.

Prof. Kazuhiro Yoshida, President of Gifu University and President of the Gifu–Lithuania Friendship Association, said that the partnership between the universities should promote joint efforts by a broad range of institutions and communities to address shared healthcare challenges. He particularly emphasised the importance of responding to the needs of an ageing society, disease prevention and healthcare innovation.

“The challenges facing our societies cannot be addressed by universities alone. Progress requires cooperation between universities, hospitals, industry, government institutions and local communities,” the guest emphasised.

Governor of Gifu Prefecture Yoshihide Esaki noted the importance of strengthening ties between Japan and Lithuania and learning from one another amid challenging global circumstances. He saw cooperation in healthcare as an opportunity to address the challenges of an ageing society and lay the foundations for a better future.

“This cooperation would provide a powerful impetus for both countries, and not only for them, but for the whole world. By working together, we must create a new, better world and embrace the future,” said the Governor of Gifu Prefecture.

Towards a long-term academic partnership  

The letter of intent, formally signed during the visit, reaffirmed both universities’ commitment to developing academic cooperation.

In the letter of intent, LSMU and Gifu University expressed their intention to establish a long-term academic partnership, with student and academic staff exchanges identified as one of its main priorities.

During the three-day visit, representatives of LSMU and the university in Gifu Prefecture discussed opportunities for cooperation in cancer and rare disease research, robotic surgery and the training of healthcare professionals. Discussions also covered the exchange of experience in biobanking and interdisciplinary research bringing together expertise in medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and engineering to develop new treatment methods.

The universities intend to develop their partnership through joint research and academic exchanges involving researchers, academic staff and students.