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Shimizu Corporation Holds Shimizu Open Academy at the University Of Ghana

Shimizu Corporation Holds Shimizu Open Academy at the University Of Ghana 15 Feb, 2018

A photograph of Officials at the Shimizu Open Academy

 

The Shimizu Corporation of Japan in collaboration with Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) has organized the Shimizu Open Academy (SOA) which is the first in Africa at of the University.

Professor Kwame Offei, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana who represented the Vice Chancellor commended the Corporation for extending the Academy to Africa, precisely Ghana. He noted that the University hopes to see its students and staff familiarize themselves with new technologies in the construction industry by engaging in internship programs with industry and eventual employment through such engagements. He said the Shimizu Open Academy is a step in the right direction and hopes it is established as an annual event at the University. He promised the University’s support in the institutionalization of the Open Academy to share new and advanced technologies in the construction sector.

Professor Kwame Offei addressing the gathering

The General Manager of Shimizu Corporation, Mr. Masami Higuchi expressed his profound gratitude to the University for accepting the institutionalization of the Open Academy and gave a brief background of the Academy which started in 2008. He stated that the core mandate of the Open Academy is to transfer technological knowledge to students and engineers in the local construction industries. He told participants of the many projects executed by the Corporation including an Advanced Research Centre for Infectious Disease at the Noguchi Memorial Institute.

A Representative of JICA, Ghana Office, Mr. Hirofumi Hoshi extended his appreciation to Shimizu for sharing their knowledge and application of new technologies with students and local engineers. He indicated that the seminar became possible through the cooperation between the University of Ghana and the Shimizu Corporation on the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research project. He further stated that the relationship between the University and JICA dates back to 1969 when some Japanese students were dispatched to the then University of Ghana Medical School to be part of a research on a viral disease. The relationship was further deepened with the establishment of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) which was named after a Japanese world renowed pathologist. JICA is currently constructing a Biosafety level 3 Laboratory at NMIMR. He also said that the SOA will further deepen the collaboration between Ghana and Japan.

The Japanesse Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tsutomu Himeno was delighted with the relationship between Ghana and Japan and indicated that Ghana can trust its partnership with Japan as the president of Ghana works hard to make Ghana an independent country in terms of aid.

His Excellency Tsutomu Himeno making some remarks

The Minister of Roads and Highways Honorable Kwasi Amoako Attah was delighted that the Corporation chose Ghana as the first African country to launch its public lecture seminars. He stated that his ministry identifies with the key objectives of the seminar which is to transfer technological knowledge to the local construction industry. He mentioned that commencement on the Tema Motorway Interchange by the Shimizu Corporation has begun and this will provide a unique opportunity for students, engineers and local agencies to obtain knowledge in advanced construction technologies.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Honorable Samuel Atta Akyea expressed his joy at the partnership between Ghana and Japan. He advised students to take opportunity of the seminar and learn new forms of technologies He also posed a challenge to Shimizu and Japan as a whole to come up with ways of wiping out the housing deficit problem of the nation.

Delivering the closing remarks, the Dean of School of Engineering Sciences, Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman thanked all for participating in the seminar. He said that students will take advantage of the internship opportunity offered by Shimizu to enable them get practical training and be well equipped for the industry.

Mr. Kazuo Kobyashi, General Manager, and Architectural Design Department made a presentation on Shimizu’s Design: build for Super Green Headquarters while Mr. Yujin Uemura, the Project Manager spoke on Shimizu Infrastructure Involvement for Developing Countries.

A cross-section of participants

Also present were Director of Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Prof. Kwabena Mante Bosompem, Acting Dean, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Prof. Robert Kingsford Adaboh, Acting Provost College of Education, Prof. Michael Tagoe, Secretary, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, as well as students from Accra Technical University, Ashesi University, Central University, Koforidua Technical University and University of Ghana