The Commemorative Conference for the Signing of the International Partnership Agreement with the University of Botswana.(June 30, 2011)
On June 30, Akita University held the Commemorative Conference for the Signing of the International Partnership Agreement with the University of Botswana, where guest speakers from this African university were invited. The University of Botswana signed an international partnership agreement with Akita University on March 31 of this year.
The conference started with an opening address by Prof. Toshio Mizuta, Director of ICREMER, which was followed by a speech to Japan by His Excellency Mr. Pulaentle Kenosi, Ambassador of Botswana. Then Professor Alfred Ngowi, Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology of the University of Botswana, gave a lecture to present the status of resource development in Botswana and the role of the University of Botswana in the resource and material-related sectors. Mr. Hiroshi Kubota, Head of Exploration Division 2, Metals Exploration Department of the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), also gave a presentation on JOGMEC’s activities in Southern Africa.
Preceding the conference, H.E. Mr. Pulaentle Kenosi had a meeting with representatives of Akita University, where Prof. Noboru Yoshimura, Akita University President expressed that “Akita University has historically been involved in the field of resource development in Japan and wishes to contribute to the resource diplomacy by means of mutual cooperation with Botswana, a country with rich underground resources”. H.E Mr. Kenosi responded to this message, saying “For a developing country like Botswana the higher education is an issue of extreme importance. We want to support this partnership on behalf of the National Government so that Botswana acquires a lot by learning from Akita University” to confirm the commitment to cooperate for international resource development and education of human resources in the sector.
