2015.06.23

　“The Fourth International GIGAKU Conference in Nagaoka (IGCN 2015)” was held for three days, from June 19 (Fri.) to June 21 (Sun.). It was an international conference conducted with the intent to make “GIGAKU” a common language throughout the world and also with the aim of internationalizing the Nagaoka region. This fourth conference was a great success with a large attendance of 540 people, including 73 attendees from 14 foreign countries.
　On the 19th (Fri.), the pre-event “Overseas Development Exchange Salon” took place at Nagaoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which was participated by people from about 30 companies in Niigata Prefecture. They provided and exchanged information related to foreign customs and other matters that must be known in developing businesses in all countries of the world.
　We changed the venue to Nagaoka University of Technology from the 20th (Sat.). At the beginning of the plenary session, Dr. Niihara (President of NUT) delivered a lecture entitled “The Rapid Increase in Innovation through GIGAKU Concept”. Following that, lectures were given by Dr. Sergio Inclan (Mexican Minister in Japan), Dr. Ochirbat Baatar (President of Mongolian University of Science and Technology), Dr. R. Gnanamoorthy (Director of Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing. Kancheepuram), Dr. Minoru Iwasaki (Executive Director and Vice President of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies), Dr. Martin Picon (Dean of Faculty of Engineering, University of Guanajuato), Mr. Ivan Jimenez (Director of Bizkaia Talent in the Basque Country), and Mr. Hiroshi Watanabe (Director-General for Technology Policy Coordination, Minister’s Secretariat, METI). Finally, Dr. Azima (Executive Director and Vice President of NUT) delivered a lecture on plans for the Top Global University Project in NUT.
　The breakout sessions were prepared for the following six groups: Techno Park, GIGAKU Education, Green Technology, Safety Society & Technology, Innovation & Branding, and Material Design. Lively debates were held in the oral and poster presentations.
　On the 20th (Sat.), a banquet was held at Nagaoka Grand Hotel to commend the Excellent Poster Award winners.

Overseas Development Exchange Salon

Overseas Development Exchange Salon

Keynote speech by the President of NUT

Poster presentations

GIGAKU Education（The breakout sessions）

Commendation at the banquet