The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organized its maiden edition of ‘Quality Week’ led by the Institute Quality Management Unit, under the theme ‘Think Research! Think Quality! Think Noguchi!’ The week-long celebration provided an opportunity to raise staff awareness about the importance of supporting the Institute’s effort to achieve accreditation for ISO 9001 and ISO 19185.

The quality week began on 27th February 2023, following a brief opening ceremony, and ended on 3rd March 2023. During the opening ceremony, the Director, Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, reiterated the importance of quality, and the benefits it brings to the Institute.

There were also two keynote lectures delivered by Prof. Hideki Hasegawa, Director, Research Center for Influenza and Respiratory Diseases – NIID, and Dr Beatrice Van Der Puije on the topics “Biosafety and Research on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases”, and ‘Think Research! Think Quality! Think Noguchi!, respectively.

Present at this week-long program were a host of skilled and experienced academic scientists who gave special lectures on various scientific topics. There were educative and entertaining events including inter-departmental quizzes with the Department of Animal Experimentation emerging winners, the face of quality competition won by Ms. Nana Aba Ennuson from Epidemiology Department, spot audits and clean-up exercises.

The events were attended by Institute staff and stakeholders, and we look forward to achieving accreditation for some processes in 2024, intending to adding on other processes in subsequent years