Our visiting associate proffessor Dr. Marlène visited the Ambassador of Cameroon on July 27 and had a pleasant conversation. She kindly wrote a report about the meeting, so please take a moment to read it.
Visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon in Japan
On Monday 27 July, I had the honour of being received by His Excellency the Ambassador Dr Pierre Ndzengue of the Republic of Cameroon to Japan, in the presence of his close colleagues: the First Counsellor and the First Secretary. This visit provided a unique opportunity to present the main academic and scientific activities I have undertaken in Japan over the past five months.
During our discussions, I outlined my teaching and research activities at the Centre for African Studies at the University of Tokyo (TUFS), as well as the collaborative projects we have established with Japanese institutions. I also highlighted TUFS's initiatives aimed at strengthening academic exchanges between Cameroon and Japan, notably through student and academic researcher mobility, as well as through the development of scientific partnerships between higher education institutions in both countries.
His Excellency the Ambassador and his colleagues welcomed these initiatives and were delighted to note the active presence of Cameroonian researchers in Japan. They emphasised the importance of further developing academic exchange programmes and promoting opportunities for Cameroonian lecturers and researchers to teach at Japanese universities. They also expressed their satisfaction with Cameroonian researchers' commitment to strengthening scientific cooperation between Cameroon and Japan.
Discussions also focused on promoting academic mobility in both directions by encouraging the exchange of Japanese students in Cameroon and Cameroonian students in Japan. The Ambassador reaffirmed the Embassy's willingness to support any initiative contributing to the development of academic, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
A significant part of the discussions focused on Cameroon's participation in the 2027 International Horticultural Expo (GREEN EXPO 2027), to be held in Yokohama and dedicated to horticulture. The event's opportunities to promote Cameroon's horticultural, environmental, and cultural potential to the Japanese public and international partners were discussed. It was emphasised that universities and researchers could help showcase Cameroon's botanical potential at this international event.
Finally, His Excellency the Ambassador expressed his support for the actions undertaken and gave his agreement in principle to support, in accordance with current administrative procedures, initiatives aimed at strengthening academic, scientific and institutional partnerships between Cameroon and Japan. ( Dr. Marlène NGANSOP)
