お知らせ – NUITM-KEMRI Project

From July 14 to July 18, Nagasaki University President NAGAYASU Takeshi visited Kenya for the signing ceremony for the agreement with Kenya's Central Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and courtesy calls on Kenyan universities, embassies, JICA, and other organizations with which the university has forged cooperative relations. From Nagasaki University, Dr. KIMURA Masanari, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology; Dr. KANEKO Satoshi, Executive Advisor to the President (Research at Overseas Stations); Dr. INOUE Shingo, Director of Institute of Tropical Medicine Kenya Research Station; Dr. SAITO Nobuo, Deputy Director of the Kenya Research Station; Assistant Professor HIKONE Mayu; and Director HAYAKAWA Kei of the Research Promotion and International Affairs Division accompanied the delegation. On July 15, President NAGAYASU visited the Kenya Research Station of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (or Kenya Research Station), and learned about the history and current research being conducted of the Kenya Research Station from Dr. INOUE, Director of the Kenya Research Station, as well as went on a tour of the facilities. The visit to the BSL3 facility, which was established at the Kenya Research Station, was to become more acquainted with the facility in preparation for the signing ceremony for the agreement with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) regarding the BSL3 facility. In front of the Nagasaki University Institute of Tropical Medicine Kenya Research Station Touring the Kenya Research Station In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Mr. SHINGAWA Makoto, Director of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Kenya Office. We expressed our appreciation for their support toward Nagasaki University's activities in Kenya and requested JICA's continued support for Nagasaki University's SATREPS, the grassroots technical cooperation project, and JICA's long-term trainee program for students from Kenya. JICA Kenya Office On the morning of July 17, we paid a courtesy visit to Dr. John Kinuthia (Director, Research &amp; Training) of Kenyatta National Hospital, where our medical students are conducting their advanced clinical clerkships. We expressed our gratitude for his cooperation and support in accepting our students and for his cooperation and support in the clinical research on tuberculosis that Associate Professor SAITO and Assistant Professor HIKONE are planning to begin, and discussed the training of medical staff and clinical research activities Touring Kenyatta National Hospital In Front of Kenyatta National Hospital Dr. KIMURA Masanari, Dean of the Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, visited Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where he was impressed by JKUAT's unique approach to promoting research and education using state-of-the-art facilities, making the most of its budget and equipment. The president of JKUAT also attended the reception, which further strengthened our relationship. Social Gathering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology In the afternoon of the same day, President NAGAYASU paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency OKANIWA Ken of the Embassy of Japan in Kenya and held a discussion along with the Nagasaki University officials who accompanied him.Ambassador OKANIWA spoke highly of the various efforts and achievements of Nagasaki University in Kenya, which began with the dispatch of a medical mission in 1966, and expressed high hopes for Nagasaki University's future activities. Embassy of Japan in Kenya Next, we visited the JSPS Nairobi Center and met with Mr. INAZUMI Noboru, Deputy Director. We exchanged views on the future of our collaborative relationship and expressed our gratitude for their continued support. President NAGAYASU Together with Deputy Director of JSPS Nairobi, INAZUMI Nobu On July 18, the final day of the program, an agreement signing ceremony for the BSL3 facility was held with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), with opening remarks made by KEMRI Director Elijah Songok and Chairman Abdullahi Ali Ibrahim, followed by President Nagayasu. This agreement is based on the academic exchange agreement with KEMRI, which was renewed for the fourth time in 2023. We hope that this will lead to more cooperation between Nagasaki University and KEMRI in future joint research, human resource development, and other projects. Signing Ceremony at KEMRI: Together with Director Elijah Songok Signing Ceremony at KEMRI: Group Photo Although our itinerary had to be changed due to current events, our visit was a success and we are happy to have an opportunity to connect with our counterparts in Kenya. ◎The visit was also posted on the Nagasaki University Library Blog, Burari Raiburari.

President NAGAYASU Travels to Kenya, Attends Signing Ceremony with KEMRI, and Visits Partner Institutions