TCC-CIMET Hosts Japanese Scholars to Explore Collaboration on Technology Management and Skills Development for Artisans

The TCC International Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TCC-CIMET) had the honour of welcoming two distinguished scholars from Japan, Professor Keijiro Otsuka, Honorary Professor at Kobe University, and Professor Yuya Aikawa of Doshisha University, to the Centre for discussions on potential areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening technology management education and skills development for artisans in Suame Magazine.

Professor Otsuka's relationship with the Centre dates back to 2007, when he collaborated with the then Intermediate Technology Transfer Unit (ITTU), now the Technology Transfer and Production Unit (TTPU) under TCC-CIMET. During that period, he undertook pioneering research on the artisans of Suame Magazine, examining their production systems, technical capabilities, and the quality of products manufactured within one of Africa's largest informal industrial clusters.

His return to the Centre, nearly two decades later, marks an important milestone in strengthening this longstanding relationship. Together with Professor Yuya Aikawa, discussions focused on developing collaborative initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of Ghana's manufacturing and artisan sectors through targeted technology management training and capacity-building programmes.

The proposed collaboration seeks to jointly develop comprehensive training modules and establish both short-term professional courses and long-term academic programmes in Technology Management. These programmes are intended to benefit artisans operating in both the formal and informal sectors, as well as supervisors, managers, and administrative personnel. By combining technical expertise with managerial and entrepreneurial competencies, the initiative aims to enhance productivity, improve product quality, strengthen business management practices, and foster innovation across the manufacturing sector.

The engagement also explored opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaborative research, and institutional partnerships that leverage the expertise of both Ghanaian and Japanese institutions to support sustainable industrial development.

The visit underscores TCC-CIMET's commitment to building strategic international partnerships that bridge research, industry, and skills development. Through such collaborations, the Centre continues to advance its mission of promoting innovation, technology transfer, and capacity building while contributing to the sustainable growth and global competitiveness of Ghana's manufacturing ecosystem.