Nagasaki University Receives Ambassador's Commendation from the Embassy of Japan in Kenya

　On 16 November 2023, Nagasaki University was honored with the Ambassador's Commendation from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary OKANIWA Ken, Embassy of Japan in Kenya, in recognition of the University's longstanding contribution to the development of medical and healthcare activities in the Republic of Kenya and the promotion of the health of Kenyan citizens, as well as its contribution to mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.

　Japan and Kenya celebrated the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year. In this long history of friendship, cooperation in medicine and health, in particular, has been very close. Nagasaki University has always continued its support activities in Kenya since the dispatch of a medical mission in 1966.

　This support has been characterized not only by medical assistance but also by the active promotion of the development of medical personnel. When the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) was established in Kenya in 1979, a professor from Nagasaki University served as the team leader for JICA. Since then, Nagasaki University has provided opportunities for developing medical researchers at KEMRI through the doctoral, master's, and short course curricula at Nagasaki University, which focus on training new leaders in infectious diseases and public health.

　Consequently, in 1997, KEMRI opened Kenya's first Biosafety Level 3 facility, which led to significant achievements in developing Kenyan-made hepatitis and HIV-1 test kits. Outstanding researchers with doctoral and master's degrees from Nagasaki University have promoted cutting-edge biomedical research and developed KEMRI into one of the leading health research centers in Kenya and Africa.

　Furthermore, the collaboration between KEMRI and Nagasaki University has goes beyond academic collaboration. It has also created a bond of mutual friendship, which has become a basis for friendship between the two countries. Professor KANEKO Satoshi, Vice Director of the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Executive Advisor to the President, attended the award ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, on behalf of Nagasaki University and received the certificate from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary OKANIWA Ken.

　Professor KANEKO said, "I am proud that Nagasaki University's longstanding activities in Kenya have been so gratefully recognized. I hope that Nagasaki University will continue to be a bridge between Kenya, Africa, and Japan." Nagasaki University will continue to deepen its cooperation to improve people's health in Kenya and Africa.

Left Photo: Professor KANEKO Satoshi Photo right: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary OKANIWA Ken

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