KOICA, UG to construct $10m research centre
The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with the University of Ghana (UG), has cut sod for the construction of a research centre in the university.
The project dubbed “Ghana-Korean Centre of Excellence”, will feature conference rooms, computer laboratories, meeting rooms, offices, start-up spaces, server rooms and a cafeteria, among other facilities.
It is estimated to cost $10 million, and would be completed by December 31, next year. Funding for the project would be the highest grant by the Korean Government in the country.
It would be situated on a 2,400 square metre land.
The centre, which would be constructed by Marleyrossi Building and Civil, is aimed at enhancing the study of information and communications technology (ICT), including ICT-based startups and Asian research.
Impact
At the ceremony in Accra yesterday, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Kyongsig Park, said the project was a result of the shared vision and growing friendship between Korea and Ghana.
He said it marked a new chapter in the partnership of the two countries and an envisioned key platform to nurture ICT-based startups, support young entrepreneurs and foster innovation.
“We hope it will contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s sustainable development and economic progress. I envisioned that the centre would become a truly impactful hub in Asian research, underpinned by research cooperation and policy dialogue,” Mr Park said.
He expressed hope that the establishment of the centre would also bolster Korean language education in Ghana.
‘’Currently, Korean language courses are not part of the official academic programme of the university; they do not give course credits to the attendees.
“However, with adequate space for Korean language courses, I believe that Korean language courses can be integrated into the university’s official academic programme,” the ambassador said.
Transformation
For his part, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UG, Prof. Gordon Awandare, said the project matched the university's aspiration to transform lives and societies through unparalleled scholarship, innovation and resource-oriented discoveries.
He said the project was made possible by commitments from the two major partners. While UG committed the land on which the edifice would be built, the Korean Government provided the funding through KOICA.
Prof. Awandare said it was a “demonstration of the true fraternity and ever-deepening relationship between the two countries”.
He expressed gratitude to the Korean Government, KOICA, the Korean Ambassador and his predecessors for choosing the UG for the project.
Prof. Awandare added that the project marked a significant step in the Ghana-Korea bilateral relations and said: “We look forward to a state-of-the-art edifice that will beat all the other Asian institutions on this campus”.
