The Kenya Japan Alumni Association (KEJAA) made a three-day tour to the KALRO Mwea and National Irrigation Authority (NIA).
According to the association, the tour was meant to promote exchanges between Kenyans who have visited Japan for study or training.
The Embassy of Japan sponsored the field tour of the Mwea rice-growing areas for the alumni association of the many Kenyans who have studied in Japan.
The visit comprised three phases: A visit to the KALRO Rice Research Laboratory, a field visit to rice fields and Thiba dam and a members’ seminar.
KEJAA said that the visit to the rice research laboratory helped the members appreciate the research facilities provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the centre.
During the seminar, presentations were made by three participants who informed the officials about the work that happens at the KALRO Mwea and National Irrigation Authority.
KEJAA reported that its members had a chance to network and exchange their experiences with those in the organisation.
The visit was hosted by a Kenya-Japan MEXT Scholarship Alumni Member Emily Gichuhi who is also a Senior Research Scientist at the Centers’ Rice Research Laboratory.
She guided the attendees through the steps involved in developing different types of rice through the process of rice breeding.
Among other things the members of KEJAA were taught included; some of the diseases that can affect rice in the fields and the history of the irrigation authority.
The Kenya Japan Alumni Association (KEJAA) was officially launched on November 26, 2010, in Nairobi.
KEJAA is an umbrella organization bringing together all alumni organizations.
These are; The Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS), Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA), ex-participants of the Alumni of KENYA (JEPAK), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Ship of the World Youth (SWY).
