Summary of Terminal Evaluation Results

1．Outline of the ProjectCountry: Mongolia

Sector: Agriculture and Rural Development
Division in charge: Agricultural and Rural Development
Group1, Rural Development Department
Period of Cooperation (R/D): From June 2014 to May 2019
(five years)

Project
Title:
The
Project
forEpidemiological Studies on AnimalProtozoan Diseases in Mongolia andDevelopment of Effective Diagnostic
MeasuresCooperation
Scheme:Technical
Cooperation Project （SATREPS）
Total Cost: 270 Million Japanese Yen
Partner Country's Implementation
Organization: Institute of Vetarinary
Medicine (IVM)
Supporting Organization in Japan:
Obihiro University of Veterinary Medicine

1-1．Background of the Project
In Mongolia, agriculture is one of the most important sectors along with the mining industry, accounting
for approximately 10.3% of GDP and employs about 29.8% of labor forces as of 2017 (World Bank).
Livestock production is Mongolia’s traditional livelihood, the main supply of food for the population, andthe source of raw materials for livestock processing industries. The number of livestock has reached 66．4
million in 2018, and are mainly maintained by nomadic people who seasonally migrate from pasture to
pasture with mixed herds of sheep, goats, cattle, horses and camels.
In order to enhance the productivity and quality of livestock products, animal infectious diseases are themajor issues to be addressed. In the “Mongolian National Livestock Program” resolved in the State Great
Khural in May 2010, “raising of the veterinary service standard to international levels and protecting publichealth through securing Mongolian livestock health” is one of the five priority areas. Under the above priority
area, the following specific objectives are set up:
・ Early prevention measures, increased preparedness to combat against and prevent infectious animal
diseases that are banned for international trade,・ Bringing the veterinary service structure to international standard; strengthen the capacity of veterinary
services to the level that can fully meet consumers’ demands and requirements, and,・ Bringing livestock medicine and veterinary tools to international standards.
Animal infectious diseases in Mongolia include more than 30 zoonotic emerging and re-emerging diseases
such as protozoan diseases. The protozoan diseases significantly limit animal productivity. Prevalence of thediseases has been rapidly increasing in the last decade because of lack of established affordable diagnostics
and preventive and treatment measures in the country.
In order to address these issues, Institute of Veterinary Medicine (IVM), Mongolian State University ofAgriculture 1 and National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases (NRCPD), Obihiro University ofAgriculture and Veterinary Medicine formulated a proposal of a collaborative research project which aims
at the improvement of research and development capacities of IVM for early detection, prevention andcontrol measures against animal protozoan diseases through conducting epidemiological studies anddeveloping on-site diagnostics.
After the Detailed Design Formulation Survey in October 2013, the Government of Mongolia (GoM) and
the Government of Japan (GoJ) mutually agreed and signed the Record of Discussions (R/D) on January 7th,
2014 and “The Project for Epidemiological Studies on Animal Protozoan Diseases in Mongolia andDevelopment of Effective Diagnostic Measures (the Project)” was officially commenced in June 2014, withthe cooperation period of five years.
1-2. Project Overview (PDM (version 2.0))(1) Overall Goal: Prevention and control measures against animal protozoan diseases (trypanosomoses andpiroplasmoses) are taken based on the guideline using on-site diagnostic kits.

1

Mongolian University of Life Sciences since August 2014.

x

(2) Project Purpose: Research and development capacities of IVM for early detection, prevention andcontrol measures against animal protozoan diseases (trypanosomosis and piroplasmosis) are improved
through conducting epidemiological studies and developing on-site diagnostics in collaboration with
NRCPD.
(3) Output
1. On-site diagnostics against animal protozoan diseases are developed.
2. Prevalence, distribution and damages of major animal protozoan diseases and the vector ticks in Mongolia
are clarified.
3. Effective measures for the prevention and control of animal protozoan diseases in Mongolia are proposed
based on detailed analyses of the results of epidemiological studies and the trial runs of the measures.
(4) Inputs
Japanese Side (as of the end of January 2019)
・ Dispatch of Experts: Long-term Experts (3) (56.1 person-months), Short-term Experts (13) (21.67
person-months)
・ Procurement of Equipment：Approximately 88.9 million yen (vehicles, immunochromatography test
strip making system, cryostat, etc.).
・ Local Cost Assistance: Approximately 66.7 million yen (employment of local staffs, travel allowance,
accommodation, provision of construction materilas of large-animal experimental facility, etc.).
Mongolian Side・ Allocation of CPs: a total of 20 CPs have been assigned; 15 CPs are assigned as of the end of January
2019.
・ Facility: Office space for Japanese Experts/Laboratories for study on protozoan diseases and vectors(in vitro cultivation laboratory, molecular biology laboratories, and pathology laboratory)/A vehicle
and a driver for field sampling/Construction cost and land for large-animal facility/Construction costand land for the new laboratory building.
・ Project Running Cost: salary of CPs, per diem and travel cost for field sampling, utilities, internet fee,
etc. The total amount for the fiscal year from 2014 to 2018 was approximately MNT 755.2 million(approximately 34.0million yen).
2． Mid-term Review TeamJapanese Side
Mongolian Side
(1) Ms. Eriko TAMURA (Leader), Senior Representative, (1) Dr. BOLDBAATAR Bazartseren
JICA Mongolia Office(Leader), Head, Laboratory of Virology,(2) Mr. Taketoshi WATANBE (Evaluation Planning),
IVM
Program Officer, Agricultural and Rural Development Group (2) Dr. NANSALMAA Myagmar
1, Rural Development Department, JICA
(Member), Head of Department of(3) Yoko TAJIMA (Cooperation Planning), Program
Infectious and Parasitic Disease
Division, Eastern Hokkaido, JICA
Surveillance, State Central Veterinary(4) Dr. Kyoshi KITA (Infectious Disease Control
Laboratory
Research), Program Officer, SATREPS, AMED
(5) Dr. Yasushi SHINTANI (Evaluation and Planning)
Deputy Manager, Division of International Collaboration
Department of International Affairs, AMED
(6) Dr. Hideaki HIGASHINO (Evaluation Analysis),
Senior Consultant, RECS International. Inc.
Period of Evaluation: February 9-22, 2019
Type of Evaluation: Terminal Evaluation
3． Results of Evaluation
3-1．Project Performances(1) Summary of Project Purpose Achievements
Project Purpose: Research and development capacities of IVM for early detection, prevention and control
measures against animal protozoan diseases (trypanosomosis and piroplasmosis) are improved throughconducting epidemiological studies and developing on-site diagnostics in collaboration with NRCPD.
Indicator 1: On-site diagnostic kits are developed by IVM and submitted to the state laboratory for quality
control and certification of veterinary drug.

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Indicator 1 is considered to have been achieved as an on-site diagnostic kit (ICT-kit for equine
trypanosomosis) was approved by Pharmacopeia Committee.
In addition, four PCR and four ELISA diagnostics kits were produced by IVM and submitted to the State
Laboratory for Quality Control and Certification of Veterinary Drug and approved2.
Diagnostic Kits

Date of
Submission

1
2

ICT Trypanosoma equiperdum
PCR Trypanosomosis

January 12, 2018
February 21,
2018
February 21,
2018
February 21,
2018
February 21,
2018
October 24, 2018

3

PCR Anaplasmosis

4

PCR Babesia bovis

5

PCR Babesia bigemina

6
7

ELISA Trypanosoma
equiperdum
ELISA Babesia caballi

8

ELISA Theileria equi

October 24, 2018

9

ELISA Trypanosomosis

October 24, 2018

October 24, 2018

Date of Approvalby State
Laboratory
January 30, 2018
April 13, 2018

Date of Approvalby Pharmacopeia
Committee
February 1, 2018

April 13, 2018
April 13, 2018
April 13, 2018
November 17.
2018
November 17.
2018
November 17.
2018
November 17.
2018

In the process ofapproval

For trypanosomoses, as shown in the above table, an on-site kit for Trypanosoma equiperdum was developedby IVM and submitted to the State Laboratory and finally approved by Pharmacopeia Committee on
February 1, 2018.
While, for piroplasmoses, on-site diagnostic kits for two types of major piroplasmoses were supposed to be
developed by IVM based on the results of blood sample analyses. However, due to the following reasons,submission to the State Laboratory for approval of production was not made so far.
It is considered that there is no strong demand from local veterinary service units to use on-site diagnostics
kits to identify infection of piroplasma as it is already known through the epidemiological studies by IVM
that majority of livestock animals are infected with piroplasma, mediated by ticks, and piroplasmoses do notshow acute symptoms (chronic).
In 2018, MOFALI and IVM provided veterinary laboratories in 21aimags (province) and Ulaanbaatar with
1,820 diagnostic kits. Many provincial veterinary laboratories expressed their interest of purchasing on-site
diagnostic and ELISA diagnostic kits, as well.
Indicator 2: More than 10 international publications with citation index are coauthored by Mongolian
and Japanese researchers.
Indicator 2 has been achieved. Papers and articles prepared by the Mongolian and Japanese researchers are
as follows (ANNEX10):
1) Original Papers to International Scientific Journals
The Project researchers published a total of 82 papers from 2014 to 2018, out of which, Mongolian
researchers published 30 papers to international journals with citation index together with Japanese2

Since August 2014, it is necessary to have approval of the pharmacopeia committee to manufacture and sell pharmaceutical products in Mongolia.
PCR and ELISA kits are in the process of approval by the committee at the moment.

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researchers.
2) Original Papers to Domestic Scientific Journals in Mongolia and Japan
A total of 25 are accepted by domestic journals (22 papers to Mongolian scientific journals by Mongolian
researchers only, and 3 papers to Japanese scientific journals by Japanese researchers only).
3) Review Articles
Two articles to international and three articles to Japanese scientific journals (by Japanese researchers only)4) Articles to Mongolian commercial journals
16 articles by Mongolian researchers only
(2) Summary of Output Achievements
Output 1: On-site diagnostics against animal protozoan diseases are developed.
Indicator 1-1: By 2016,
the prepared on-site
diagnostic kits will be
used for the
epidemiological studies
in the field.

Achieved
・ For trypanosomoses, GM6-4r-ICT, an on-site diagnostic trial kit, wasproduced in NRCPD, Obihiro in August 2015.
・ The recombinant GM6-4r-ELISA and GM6-4r-ICT tests that were
produced at NRCPD have been evaluated by using positive control sera
and field samples in Mongolia.
・ On-site diagnostic kits that were produced at NRCPD have been
repeatedly used for the epidemiological studies in the field all over
Mongolia for trypanosomoses.
・ Devices essential for ICT diagnostic kits were installed into IVM,
Mongolia in February 2016 and ICT sticks were produced at IVM from
October, 2016.
・ Since October 2016, on-site diagnostic kits developed by IVM wereused for epidemiological studies in 13 provinces in Mongolia.
Indicator 1-2: By 2018,
Achieved
the effectiveness of the・ Blood serum was collected from 50 heads of horses in a model farm in
on-site diagnostic kits
the suburb of Ulaanbaatar in March 2016.
developed by IVM will
・ The results of on-site diagnosis on these samples using ICT kit was
be verified by kappa
compared with the results of ELISA and effectiveness of the on-sitevalue more than 0.5 indiagnostic kit developed by IVM was verified in September 2017.
comparison with ELISA. ・ The result: kappa value was 0.53 (more than 0.5) in comparison with
ELISA.
・ Similarly, 1701 blood serum samples of horses collected from the 21
prefectures between July 2014 and December 2015 were diagnosed
using on-site diagnostic kits and compared with ELISA in September
2017. The result shows kappa value: 0.58.
Output2: Prevalence, distribution and damages of major animal protozoan diseases and the vector
ticks in Mongolia are clarified.
Indicator 2-1: Prevalence Achieved
and distribution maps of 7 ・ A total of 11,446 animal blood samples and over 12,000 tick samples
kinds of animal protozoan
were collected by countrywide epidemiological surveillance.
parasites and 3 kinds of ・ Based on the analysis of the collected samples, the first issue of thevector ticks are prepared.
disease prevalence/distribution maps was prepared in December 2016:
16 maps (nine protozoan parasites (disease) and seven ticks wereprepared as follows:
Disease: 1. Trypanosoma equiperdum, 2. Theileria equi, 3. Trypanosoma
evansi, 4. Babesia caballi, 5. Babesia bovis, 6. Babesia bigemina, 7.
Toxoplasma gondi, 8. Neospora caninum, and 9. Anaplasma ovis,
Ticks: 1. Dermacentor nuttalli, 2. D.silvarum, 3. D, daghestanus, 4.
Ixodes, 5. Haemaphysalis, 6. Hyalomma and 7. Rhipicephalusxiii

Indicator 2-2: Seminars
on current status ofdamages due to major
animal protozoandiseases and the vector
ticks are conducted atleast twice a year.

Achieved
・ On occasion of Regional Veterinarian Conferences, SATREPS Scientific
Seminar was held six times in Mongolia (July 2015 in Dornogovi, andJuly and August 2016 in Bayan-Ulgii and Khentii, August 2017 inGovisumber, and July and August 2018 in Uvs and Sukhbaatar) andpresentation was made on protozoan disease and prevention measures by
the Project researchers.
・ The Project was planning to hold another seminar in Arkhangai during
Rural Veterinarian Conference in June 2017, however, it was postponeddue to the Presidential Election. In September, Rural Veterinarian
Conference in Arkhangai was finally carried out, but it was overlappedwith the SATREPS Scientific Meeting in Obihiro, and the Project
members couldn't attend.
・ SATREPS Meeting was held 28 times at IVM when Japanese
researchers stayed in Mongolia.
Output3: Effective measures for the prevention and control of animal protozoan diseases in Mongolia
are proposed based on detailed analyses of the results of epidemiological studies and the trial runs of
the measures.
Indicator 3-1: Proposal of Achieved
guideline for prevention
・ Five guidelines were prepared and submitted to VABA (Veterinary andand control measures for
Animal Breeding Agency) on March 27, 2018 and as of January 2019,
targeting protozoan
four of them are approved by GAVS (General Authority for Veterinary
diseases is prepared andServices), MOFALI.
submitted to MOFALI.
Indicator 3-2: By 2019,seminar(s) on proposal
guideline for prevention
and control measures fortargeting protozoandiseases is (are) held.

・ Seminars are scheduled to be held in April 2019.

3-2 Summary of Evaluation based on Five Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation results based on 5 evaluation criteria are as follows:(1) Relevance: High・ The Project was evaluated as highly relevant with Mongolian development policy, Japan’s aid policy andstrategy, and the needs of Mongolian societies, at the time of Terminal Evaluation.
(2) Effectiveness: High・ Effectiveness of the Project was also evaluated high. Capacity enhancement of IVM has been successfully
executed through technical guidance by the researchers of NRCPD, participation in the trainings, as wellas provision of necessary equipment for research works on protozoan diseases.
・ The Project researchers’ intensive work on collection as well as analyses of nationwide blood samplingand development of prevalence maps of protozoan diseases and tick distribution is highly admired.
Development of diagnostic kits by IVM is a remarkable achievement of the Project, too.
・ The Project researchers published a total of 82 papers from 2014 to 2018, out of which, Mongolian
researchers published 30 papers to international journals with citation index together with Japanese
researchers.
(3) Efficiency: High・ Efficiency of the Project was evaluated high, too. As a whole, input by both the Japanese and Mongoliansides was appropriate. Most of the provided equipment by the Japanese side has been fully utilized to
implement the Project activities and contributed to successful achievements of Output.

xiv(4) Impact:
・ Prospect of Overall Goal Achievement: The Evaluation Team had difficulty evaluating the prospect as
qunatitaitve indicators were not set up yet. Therefore the Evaluation Team suggested to modify indicatorsof the Overall Goal as shown in 3-6. Recommendations.
・ Other Impact: There will be a significant impact by the Project in the control of protozoan diseases in
Mongolia. Animal protozoan diseases, such as trypanosomosis and piroplasmosis, are considered major
constraints of the livestock industry in Mongolia. Development and dissemination of low cost on-site
diagnostic kits and other developed diagnostic kits for protozoan diseases, together with visualization of
epidemiological data of the protozoan diseases and ticks will help local veterinarians and researchers to
draw up effective control measures of the diseases and ticks and bring about socio-economic impact(maximum JPY 10 billion) by reducing loss of livestock animals.
(5) Sustainability: Relatively High
Policy Aspect
・ The current and future administration of Mongolia will maintain the policy to put priority on developmentof livestock industry by better management through prevention of animal infectious and endemic
diseases.
Financial Aspect
・ The Evaluation Team confirmed that budget of the Project has been allocated smoothly so far and will beallocated until the end of the Project cooperation period. In the interview to Mongolian governmental
officials (MECSS and MOFALI), they recognize the successful achievements of the Project and madefavorable response to the requests by the Evaluation Team to allocate the budget for IVM to continue
current research activities that IVM had conducted under the Project even after the cooperation period.
However there remains a slight concern of financial sustainability as the budget after 2020 has not been
secured yet.
Technical and Management Aspects
・ Provided equipment had been effectively used and properly maintained so far, and it is expected that
Mongolian C/P will continue to effectively use and properly maintain the equipment.
・ Purchase of reagents and consumables for the equipment in Mongolia posed difficulties against smooth
operation of the research works at IVM in the first half of the Project cooperation period. However,opening of a new service agent in Ulaanbaatar mitigated the situation.
・ Local veterinarians are highly cooperative to the Project activities. Hence, the Project outcomes could besustainably utilized for development of livestock industry in Mongolia.
・ According to NRCPD professors, the head of IVM (Project Director) will be nominated as a member ofthe steering committee of NRCPD, which raises the sustainability of the Project as academic exchange isconsidered to continue even after the completion of the Project cooperation period.
3-3. Factors promoting the production of effects
3-3-1. Factors pertaining to planning・ A relatively simple structur of the Project implementation, as well as limited number of implementing
agencies.
3-3-2. Factors pertaining to implementation process
・ All Mongolian CP scientists understood the aims of the Project, and have been actively participating in
the Project activities. Appropriate laboratories and scientists were selected as CP (Basic knowledge andskills of CP scientists are at substantially high standard. Therefore, training courses and research progress
seminar have been efficiently working).
・ Countrywide local veterinarian’s network has contributed to efficient data collection and distribution of
the research outcomes.
・ Organized management of the Project by both the Mongolian and Japanese sides to carry out the researchworks, including coordination among relevant Mongolian governmental organizations (e.g. MOFALI,MOESCS, etc.).
・ Long history of collaborative research between IVM and Obihiro University of Agriculture andVeterinary Medicine that started in 1997 from a JICA technical cooperation project (Improvement ofTechnology on Diagnosis of Animal Infection Diseases in Mongolia (1997-2002))xv

3-4. Factors inhibiting the production of effects
3-4-1. Factors pertaining to planning・ None3-4-2. Factors pertaining to the implementation process
・ There has not been observed significant inhibiting factors so far. However, timely purchase of reagentsand consumables has been and an issue to be addressed by the Mongolian side to smoothly implement
the research activities of protozoan diseases. Establishment of a service agent in Ulaanbaatar has
mitigated the situation.
3-5. Conclusion
・ Based on the Evaluation results, the Evaluation Team concluded that the Project be terminated asscheduled at the end of May 2019, as the Project Purpose is fully achieved at the time of Terminal
Evaluation.
3-6. Recommendations
The following recommendations were made by the Joint Terminal Evaluation Team
3-6-1. Necessary measures to be taken by GAVS and IVM(1) Revision of PDM(1) -1 Amendment of the Overall Goal for adding unexpected useful output
・ In addition to an on-site diagnostic kit (ICT-kit for equine trypanosomoses), were produced by IVM, andthen these kits were utilized for control measures for targeting protozoan diseases. Therefore, the Overall
Goal should be revised as follows:
Original:
Prevention and control measures against animal protozoan diseases(trypanosomoses and piroplasmoses) are taken based on the guideline
using on-site diagnostic kits.
Amendment:
Prevention and control measures against animal protozoan diseases(trypanosomoses and piroplasmoses) are taken based on the guideline
using an on-site diagnostic kit and ELISA diagnostics kits.
(1) -2 Amendment of Overall Goal Indicators
Indicators of Overall Goal should be amended as follows:
1) Indicator 1
Original:
Amendment:

xx % of clinical veterinarians use on-site diagnostic kits.
On-site diagnostic kit is distributed to 40% of veterinary service units in
Mongolia.
・ A total of 1,820 on-site diagnostic kits were produced in 2018, about 9.1% of total service units (91 units)
received them in 2018. In addition, it is planned that 4,200 on- site diagnostic kits will be produced anddistributed in 2019.
・ The Evaluation Team recommends that GAVS and IVM distribute the on-site diagnostic kit to 80 moreveterinary service units countrywide per year, in addition to the previous year, and that finally about 40%
of veterinary service units receive them in Mongolia.
・ Veterinarian service units are divided into four regions in Mongolia: South (Govi), North (Central), Eastand West. Based on the discussion with GAVS and IVM, it seems feasible to increase 20 veterinary
service units to receive on-site diagnostic kits in each region per year. If 80 more service units receive thekits per year, there will be an increase of 320 service units in 2022. Including the 91 veterinary units in
2018, a total of service units to receive on-site diagnostic kits will be more than 400 (about 40% ofveterinary service units).

xvi2) Indicator 2
Original:
Amendment:

xx sets of on-site diagnostic kits are sold per year.
Three ELISA diagnostics kits* are distributed to all provincial veterinary
laboratories.
* Three ELISA diagnostics kits: for Trypanosoma equiperdum, Babesia caballi
and Theileria equi・ Only three provincial veterinary laboratories received all the three ELISA diagnostics kits in 2018. In
2019, IVM is planning to produce and distribute 4,224 for Trypanosoma equiperdum, 4,200 for Theileriaequi, and 1,440 for Babesia caballi, and only ten provincial veterinary laboratories are supposed toreceive all the three ELISA diagnostic kits. The remaining provinces will not receive all the three kits
mainly due to capacity limitation of laboratory staff.
・ The Evaluation Team recommends that GAVS and IVM distribute all the three ELISA diagnostics kits toall provincial veterinary laboratories for confirming prevalence and distribution situation of
trypanosomoses and piroplasmoses by conducting capacity enhancement trainings of laboratory staffs on
how to use ELISA kits.
3) Indicator 3
Original:

Guideline proposed by the Project is reflected in the official strategy forprevention and control of animal diseases by MOFALI.
Amendment:
Contents of guidelines are revised by IVM to reflect the current status of animal
protozoan diseases.
・ Four guidelines were already approved by MOFALI. The Evaluation Team recommends that IVM revise
contents of guidelines to be more practical in accordance with the situation changed/updated based on
the study and research works conducted by IVM.
(2) Support of establishment of provincial action plan・ According to “Article 21. Measurement for combating against parasitic diseases” of “Law on Animal
Health” provincial veterinary department/unit shall conduct epidemiological research and monitoring
activities on the parasitic disease.
・ Therefore, the Evaluation Team recommends that GAVS and IVM encourage provincial veterinary
department/laboratories to utilize guidelines, on-site and ELISA diagnostics kits developed by IVM
through seminar and brochure as well as other tools such as internet, telephone, social media and so on.
(According to the law, two veterinarians will be assigned in each soum in 2019, and the Team
recommends that veterinarians at soum level use guidelines also)(3) Securing budget after completion of the Project
GAVS should secure the necessary budget;・ to manufacture and disseminate on-site diagnostic kits and ELISA diagnostics kits developed by IVM
・ to establish the training course for veterinarians by IVM, based on guidelines
・ to strengthen capacity of utilization of on-site diagnostic kits and ELISA diagnostics kits・ to support above mentioned action plan to be established by provincial veterinary department/laboratories
3-6-2. Necessary measures to be taken by MECSSMECSS should secure the necessary budget for the followings:
・ to properly maintain and utilize equipment by IVM provided under the Project・ to continue self-effort for improving research and development capacities by IVM
3-6-3. Necessary measures to be taken by SCVL
Maintaining records of demand and distribution of on-site diagnostic kit and ELISA diagnostics kits
・ SCVL keep demand records of on-site diagnostic kit and three ELISA diagnostics kits from each province
as well as distribution record to and status of utilization in each province.
3-6-4. Necessary measures to be taken by NRCPD
Utilization of the research network developed through the implementation of the Projectxvii

・ A collaborative research network was formulated through the Project implementation. NRCPD isrecommended to give technical guidance and assistance to the Mongolia side as necessity rises to ensure
the sustainability of the Project.
3-7. Lessons Learned(1) Credible relationship between implementing organizations and long-term personnel development
The key for the success of the Project is the trust nurtured by long-term relationships built between
NRCPD (Japan) and IVM (Mongolia). Since 1997, two organizations implemented a 5-year JICA technicalcooperation project, and since then, they have kept their cooperation through exchanging students andprofessors. More than 20 years, strong credibility has been established by Japanese and Mongolian students
who studied and carried out research together. Today, these students have taken important positions in theirrespective institutions and also play important roles (leaders and sub-leaders) in the Project.
The strong credibility, especially between Japanese and Mongolian project leaders and sub-leaders, goodand smooth communication has been maintained. Consequently, no conflict emerged about research policies
and directions, and a strong sense of ownership by Mongolian researchers has matured. As their Professors
have done, both leaders and sub-leaders have cooperated to build capacities for young Mongolian andJapanese researchers, and young researchers returned their appreciation to leaders as their dedicated and hard
works.
(2) Combination of the trainings in Japan and actual practices in Mongolia
In the Project, technical trainings in Japan were conducted intensively throughout the Project period. A
total of 50 researchers were trained so far and learned in Japan advanced technologies necessary to
implement the research activities of the Project. When they come back to Mongolia, they strengthened theircapacities by applying their knowledge learned in Japan to their practical research works under the Project.
Combination of the trainings in Japan and actual practices in Mongolia contributed to smooth and efficient
operation of the research activities in Mongolia during the entire cooperation period.

xviii