The School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) at the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, University of Ghana, and the College of Bio resource Sciences of Nihon University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), at a brief ceremony at Legon recently.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor E. Kweku Osam signed for the University, whilst Mr. Jiro Inamura, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA, signed for JICA. Mr. Eiichi Kohno, Dean of the College of Bio resource Sciences and Prof. Kwame Offei, witnessed on behalf of JICA and Nihon University and the University of Ghana respectively.
The MOU seeks also to formalize a tripartite agreement among Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the College of Bio resource Sciences of Nihon University and the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences of the University of Ghana.
Under the Agreement, the Nihon University will carry out analysis as to the present education and research setups of the School of Veterinary Medicine, generate recommendations for strengthening and upgrading it including teaching curriculum and syllabus, confirm the purpose and standard of training and research, teach methodologies, transfer skills and techniques used in the research of animal diseases, prepare research plans in relevant areas, coordinate implementation and publish reports and/or research papers.
Inputs from JICA include the dispatch of shorts term experts and the provision of materials and equipment necessary for the project activities.
The University of Ghana will also be responsible for the provision of counterpart personnel to the Japanese experts, provision of office space and other facilities and the running of expenses necessary for the implementation of the project including remuneration and domestic travel expenses of counterpart personnel.
In his remarks, Professor Osam noted that the University of Ghana has been working closely with the Japanese government since the 1960’s, with the establishment tof the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and was grateful for the continuous interest the government and people of Japan show not only to Ghana but the University of Ghana. Commenting on the current relationship between the University of Ghana’s School of Veterinary Medicine and the Nihon University, Prof. Osam was hopeful that the Nihon University would continue to be supportive until such time that the SVM is able to stand on its feet.
The Chief Representative of JICA, Mr. Jiro Inamura, noted that the signing of the MOU signals a very important step for the growth of the relationship between the Ghanaian government and the Japanese government. He reiterated the sentiments expressed by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and said that Japan had made considerable contribution to research in the University of Ghana, especially through the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, which he said, has now
become a hub of medical education and research. He expressed the hope that by this association, more projects will materialize.
Other officials who witnessed the ceremony from the University of Ghana, were the Ag Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Professor George Aning, Professor Bawa Awumbila, from the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, whilst the Nihon University was represented by the Project formulation advisor Mr. Nobuhide Hayashie, the Programme Officer Mrs. Sheila Assibey-Yeboah and the Public Relations Officer Miss Chihiro Wakanuya.
The School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) in the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences of the University of Ghana was established in August 2009. Currently, the SVM admits 10-15 students every academic year. The SVM aims to develop human resources with expertise in Veterinary medicine and Public Health through practical training for the prevention and detection of animal diseases, adequate management of livestock as well as wildlife.
