UniSey partners with Japanese university |02 September 2016
The University of Seychelles (UniSey) have struck a new academic partnership with Nagasaki University of Japan.
A memorandum of understanding to that effect was signed by the vice-chancellor of the UniSey, Professor Dennis Hardy and Nagasaki University President, Professor Shigeru Katamine on August 29, 2016.
The signing took place in Nairobi on the margins of the 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development.
Both signatories of the MoU were invited to attend a session hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, in the presence of other heads of state.
The new academic partnership followed a recent visit to Seychelles by two senior colleagues from Nagasaki, which itself resulted from an introduction by former government minister Peter Sinon and Japanese economist Dr Keiichiro Komatsu.
It is expected that collaboration between the two universities will start with joint research projects on the Blue Economy and will possibly include student and staff visits.
As part of the signing ceremony, Professor Hardy presented Professor Katamine with a copy of President James Michel’s book, ‘Rethinking the Oceans: Towards the Blue Economy’.
There is also mutual interest in Peace Studies as well as technology innovation. Professor Hardy visited the Japanese exhibition at the conference and was greatly impressed by the quality and advanced nature of a range of smart technologies, with the goal of sustainability very much in evidence.
New developments in agriculture and construction, traffic controls and water purification featured on the various stands.
Kelly Hoareau, director of the Blue Economy Research Institute, will be the link person at the UniSey for the partnership as a whole.