The Nippon Foundation of Tokyo, Japan, has donated Japan-related books worth $5000 to the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
The donation of the books to the university was done under the 2022 edition of the “READ Japan Project,” a project initiated by the Nippon Foundation in 2008 to promote understandings of Japan through donations of Japan-related books written in English to universities and libraries around the world.
The donation of the books to UCC is not only to serve as a token of friendship between Ghana and Japan but to promote the knowledge of Japanese culture among members of the university community and especially among students.
The donated books cover different stories on Japanese history, philosophy, politics, science and technology, culture, education, religion, and the Japanese language, among many others.
Ahead of handing over the books to the University of Cape Coast on behalf of the Japan Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Mr. Mochizuki Hisanobu, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Ghana, Mr. Naoki Mitori expressed hope that while promoting the mutual understandings between Ghana and Japan, the books will let readers have a live experience of Japan.
Mr. Mitori noted that engagements like this are not new because though geographically far from each other, “Ghana and Japan have friendly relations over the years since Dr. Hideyo Noguchi [a prominent Japanese bacteriologist) set foot in Ghana to conduct Yellow fever research in 1927.”
Meanwhile, he admonished the youth to read books if they want to be clever.
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He believes that though smart phones and social media is the preference of the youth, they still ought to cultivate the habit of reading because “the more you read, the more you know.”
While appreciating the Embassy of Japan in Ghana for the kind gesture done the University, the Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Rosemond Boohene was optimistic the books will help promote the internationalization agenda of the University of Cape Coast while helping the academic institution to engage Japan better during future encounters.
This, she notes will help in the realization of the University’s vision of positioning itself as a University with worldwide acclaim.
“And we believe that to be able to engage the embassy and Japan better, sometimes they say if you want to know someone better there is the need for you to read and understand what the person does and therefore the books that we have today will help us understand what happens in your environment. And in future if we are engaging more with you, we will know how best to do that” she said.
Prof Rosemond Boohene further assured the embassy that the university will make good use of the books “and hopefully it will not be only books but we will also get the opportunity to visit Japan because we also want to be there to understand; to have that experience.”
The books will be kept at the Special Collection Section of the Sam Jonah Library of the University of Cape Coast and the University Librarian, Dr. Mac-Anthony Cobblah wishes students will make good use of the books to enhance their academic work.
The “READ Japan Project”
The “READ Japan Project” is currently administered by the Tokyo Foundation for Policy and Research with financial support from the Nippon Foundation.
The Nippon Foundation is a public interest incorporated foundation primarily engaged in supporting maritime and shipping-related activities, public and welfare services, and international cooperation, using a portion of the proceeds from motorboat racing.
Source: Rosemond Asmah/ATLFMNEWS
