News Category: Education
Toyota Ghana Company Limited (TGCL), a leading automobile dealership, has unveiled a $1 million state-of-the-art engineering sciences training center at the University of Ghana in Accra. This initiative stems from a 2016 partnership agreement between the university and the automaker.
The new engineering training center, situated on a six-acre parcel of land near the university’s Great Hall in Haatso, is set to bolster engineering education and practical experience for students. As part of this significant contribution, Toyota Ghana also presented the university with a 33-seater Toyota Coaster bus for student transportation to the center.
Over the next decade, Toyota Ghana will supply engineering equipment worth $2 million, ensuring students have access to the latest tools for their studies. Additionally, the company will administer a $100,000 scholarship fund aimed at supporting academically gifted but financially challenged students.
The handover ceremony, attended by dignitaries including the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, and the Chairperson of the University of Ghana Council, Justice Sophia A. B. Akuffo (retd), marked a momentous step in the development of engineering education in the country.
The training center is equipped with a computer-aided design (CAD) room containing 40 computers and a 3D printing machine for hands-on student projects. It also boasts three spacious lecture rooms, each capable of accommodating up to 250 students, with state-of-the-art furniture and audio-visual systems.
Furthermore, the facility houses a library, an engineering laboratory, and an in-house practical training workshop, complete with automobile simulators, test rigs, and vehicle hydraulic lifts.
Kohji Yanaka, the Managing Director of Toyota Ghana, emphasized that the partnership aims to nurture talent, promote innovation, and support the development of a skilled workforce crucial for the nation’s progress. He stated, “At Toyota Ghana, we believe that our responsibility extends beyond the realm of business. We are dedicated to being a socially responsible company by executing impactful projects in the areas of health, education, environment, and road safety within the communities we operate.”
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, highlighted the transformative role the center will play, not only for the university but for the entire nation’s engineering education. She said, “This project supports my vision to create a culture that promotes research, teaching and learning, and administrative processes and extension activities driven by technology anchored in humanism.”
The partnership between Toyota Ghana and the university serves as an inspiring example of how academia and industry can collaborate to nurture the next generation of leaders and problem solvers.
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Hisanobu Mochizuki, commended the commitment of both Toyota Ghana and the university in realizing this project. He reiterated Japan’s dedication to supporting Ghana’s progress across various sectors, highlighting the potential for further collaboration between industry and academia.
This initiative represents a significant investment in the future of engineering education and the development of skilled professionals in Ghana. Toyota’s generous contributions and commitment to education provide hope for a brighter, more innovative future for students and the nation as a whole.
Source:[Daily Graphic]
