SUNDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, 2016 – UWI TODAY
5
On September 30, 2015
, UWI Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles and President of Sophia
University in Japan, Takashi Hayashita signed a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at
enhancing bilateral relationships that will enhance
research and education at both institutions, while
expanding the spectrumof academic collaboration and
cultural awareness between the universities.
The MOU signing at Jamaica House, followed
the bilateral meetings held between the heads of
government; Jamaica’s PrimeMinister, Portia Simpson
Miller and Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
Grounded within the context of long-standing
relations between Japan and the countries within
the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), along
with the Government of Japan’s commitment to
further strengthening its relations with CARICOM,
the agreement outlines several areas for academic,
scientific and educational cooperation. In addition
to the exchange of faculty, scholars and students
at all levels, the MOU commits to developing and
implementing joint research programmes in areas such
as sustainable development, climate change, marine
UWI OUTREACH
UWI enters into collaboration with
JAPAN’S SOPHIA UNIVERSITY
biodiversity and the blue economy, and the application
of technology to drive economic development.
With The UWI as a significant contributor to
regional intellectual growthandhumandevelopment, in
commenting on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor Beckles
expounded on the critical value of the agreement in
terms of fuelling much needed economic growth and
wealth creation within the Caribbean region, while
underscoring Japan’s academic contribution and strong
footprint in the Caribbean.
Drawing clear alignment between this agreement
and his leadership vision for the regional institution,
he said, “The circumstances of the Caribbean today
demand that we innovate, and that we diversify our
economies; by engendering greater entrepreneurial
spirit and even greater emphasis on research and
innovation. Establishing strong linkages with partner
institutions, especially those with similar strategic
thrusts as ours, augers well for enabling the level of
economic turnaround and wealth generation that
the Caribbean so desperately needs. With partners
like Sophia University, we are taking UWI closer to
becoming a global brand of education”.
Establishing strong linkages with partner institutions, especially those with similar
strategic thrusts as ours, augers well for enabling the level of economic turnaround and
wealth generation that the Caribbean so desperately needs.
President of Sophia University in Japan, Takashi Hayashita
