In March 2024, three Japanese professors, Prof. Kamei (University of Miyazaki), Dr. Fukubayashi (University of Miyazaki), and Dr. Iwai (Kyoto University), visited the soil laboratory at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University. They checked the progress of experiments with Ethiopian researchers and conducted experiments.
In 2019 when the MNGD project started, Japanese researchers could conduct a few types of experiments during their limited stay. Although some expensive equipment had been installed in the laboratory, they were often left unused due to incomplete initial setup or calibration, lack of basic accessaries, or the inability of Ethiopian researchers to operate the equipment. Consequently, during their short stay, Japanese researchers often had to focus on the preparation, such as setting up the equipment.
As the project progressed, Japanese researchers has been trying not only to procure the necessary experimental equipment but also to share knowledge with Ethiopian researchers on experimental techniques and equipment management. This resulted in the AASTU laboratory being able to operate on a daily basis.
During this stay of Japanese researchers, both Japanese and Ethiopian researchers realized that the range of experiments that could be conducted, had much increased.
