The University of Ghana (UG) has held engagements with a team from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) on a strategic partnership focused on potential areas to advance research, innovation and development, product development, commercialisation and technical assistance.
This collaboration aims to promote mutually beneficial research, trade and investment between UG and Japan, which falls in line with the University’s vision of becoming a world-class research-intensive University.
Prof. Boateng Onwona Agyeman, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, highlighted Ghana and Japan's strong bilateral relationship in terms of education and research in a brief introductory statement. He cited astute bacteriologist Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, who at some point conducted his research in Ghana, a consequence of which was the establishment of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
Prof. Boateng Onwona Agyeman, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (middle)
The Executive Vice-President of JETRO, Mr. Kazuya Nakajo, noted that through the partnership, he plans to launch a programme that will connect postgraduate students at the University with the Japanese corporation.
Mrs. Diana Owusu Antwi, a Senior Research Development Officer at the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID), delivered a presentation on the University of Ghana, in which she gave an overview of the University, highlighting activities and prospective partnerships. She outlined four current UG priority research areas: Malaria, Trans-disciplinary climate change and adaptation, Enhancing food production and processing, and Development policy and poverty monitoring.
Mrs. Diana Owusu Antwi, a Senior Research Development Officer, ORID, delivering a presentation
She added that, despite its current limitations, the University has plans to champion all-year food production. Rice production is ongoing at the University site, with plans to increase fragrance rice production. She also stated that the University has a cattle production unit with a capacity of 300 cattle, sheep, and goats, a dairy unit that produces yogurt, a feed and meat production unit, and an aquaculture unit, all of which the University is looking to expand by introducing high-tech farming equipment.
Mrs. Antwi concluded by mentioning that UG was ready for strategic partnerships that would lead to commercialisation and that she was optimistic about the outcome of the meeting.
The meeting concluded with a discussion and interactive session which saw companies such as Toshiba Africa, CC Innovation Company Limited, E-plan Company Limited, Saraya African Business Development, Japan Bank For International Cooperation, SIPEC Limited and Hitachi Europe Limited engage with the UG team on prospects of potential business development and viability in Ghana.
Present at the meeting were: Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, Director, Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST); Mrs. Amma Appah, ORID-RDO and representatives from Companies under JETRO.
