～Welcome Message for prospective JICA students～
Message from Current Students
Tottori University is one of the best choices if not the best
for an international student who opts to study in Japan. It is strategicallyplaced hence convenient access to rail, air transport and other services that
one may need from time to time like those of the post office.
On arrival, I met International Affairs Division Staff
and a student who gave me a warm welcome, a memory that has kept asmile on my face to date. As an ABE Scholar, I enrolled for a Master Course
in Information and Electronics Engineering under the Graduate School ofEngineering in September 2019. From my personal
experience as an international student, the International
MOSES OCHIENG OWITI（Kenya）
Affairs Division takes a keen interest in making you feel as
Master Student at Department ofpart of the community through continuous support
throughout your stay in Tottori and are always willing andEngineering, Graduate School ofready to assist by listening.
Sustainability Science, Tottori
Apart from the social aspect, each
University, Japandepartment at Tottori University is strong and boasts of aworld-class faculty addressed by the teaching staff and availed technology to the students at theirdisposal. Facilities are not overstretched hence creating room for everyone and the space for more.
This prepares the students for the real world challenges that they would join and be part of theirsolutions.
The environment is beautiful, conducive for study bringing new scenarios over thefour seasons experienced and one has to have the necessary attire to enjoy nature unfolding.
Generally, the community is welcoming, friendly and enjoy sharing about culture as well as
experience. Learning the culture firsthand is a good experience one should take advantage of, as it isbeautiful and in my opinion good for one’s health.
In a few words, the environment in and around Tottori University provides the opportunity for aholistic approach in developing human resource.

Before I narrate
on the so good stay in
Tottori University, my
Master Student at Department of Dryland
first nice experience inScience, Graduate School of Sustainability
Japan was landing in
Science Tottori University, Japan
Naritainternational
airport in Tokyo. The airport is so big and modern compared to theone in my home country called Jomo Kenyatta international airport.
That to me marked the beginning of an interesting, informative and educative stay in Japan.
I began studies at Tottori University in the first week of November 2020 as
a Master of Science Student in the department of dryland science under JICA AGRI-NET scholarship.
My undergraduate field of study/department in Kenya was land resource management andagricultural technology. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in management of
ACHAM COLUMBUS ERUKUDI（Kenya）

agroecosystems and environment. It is this educational background that made me develop interestin pursuing further studies in areas of dryland farming, sustainable land management and climate
smart agriculture.
I was also motivated by the fact that my home area is in the northern part of Kenya which is an ASAL
(arid and semi-arid area) experiencing harsh climatic conditions with periodic drought situations
annually. My tribe people largely practise pastoralism with an increasing number now embracing
and adopting agro-pastoralism.
I was warmly welcomed by my master’s course primary supervisor Prof. Haruyuki
Fujimaki who made sure I comfortably settled down as fast as possible. Under our labs Professor
instructions, my lab mate for master’s course Daiki San helped me with all the city office processes
to acquire necessary documents for my stay in Tottori city. I felt so lucky and special. I felt at homeactually because also the International Affairs Division staff were so supportive and friendly.
Tottori University arid lands research centre campus has a good well known global reputation as it
has significantly contributed through its robust research network to sustainable livelihoods in thedry areas across the world. The centre is well equipped with modern facilities to support effective
research work. The centre is located in a nice quiet place conducive for learning and surrounded bygreen bush trees. The sand fields for crop production research in the centre simulate real dry land
conditions.
My master’s research topic is optimization of cultivated area in a water harvesting bankwith plastic sheet and tank. This has been informed by the fact that water scarcity is the largest
limitation of agricultural development in the arid Turkana County of northern Kenya. Water
harvesting would be one of viable practices under restriction of conventional water resource
development.
Tottori city is a nice quiet city. So suitable and conducive for me as I come from a ruralplace too back in my home country. I can’t finish this without mentioning and talking of Tottori sanddunes. A so unique tourist destination that clearly brings out the uniqueness of Tottori prefecture in
Japan. Any time am lonely I visit the sand dunes and I feel refreshed.

I highly welcome andencourage
anyinternational
student wishing to study in Tottori
Master Student at Department of
University and highly recommend
Dryland Science, Graduate School
the institution to all out there
of Sustainability Science Tottori
seekingtoadvance
their
University, Japanknowledge in various post
graduate courses.
The honour to study in Japan, was a humbling one, and being able to
do so at Tottori University became an elevating thing. Having a crop
research background, I have always been challenged by the smallholder farmers producing morethan 70 % of world’s food on degraded soils, with little rainfall, under resourced and poverty stricken
mostly. I am convinced the research we ought to embark on as research institutes, is one where wecome up with technologies that will increase productivity and provide sustainable sources of
livelihood for these farmers. As I looked for a university to further my studies along these lines, I
came across Tottori
University’s Department of Dryland Science, I did not have to think twice about it, this is what
I needed, to be equipped with knowledge in creating dryland farming technologies.
The journey so far has been ecstatic, the calibre of Professors is top notch, ones that havereal experience in drylands, some working with big international institutes that are already involved
in developmental work in these regions. After their lectures you are left challenged, as for me I cannot
AGNES A. DUBE （Zimbabwe）

wait to go back to my country, for I am filled with this enthusiasm to impact our farming communities.
The well-equipped laboratories at Tottori University make you want to navigate extensively thescientific world; you have no excuse for not achieving your goals and dreams. The support from thesupervisors is incomparable, you get to discuss research activities as one would do with a friend, they
allow you to say your views and help you develop the thoughts, infusing them with their wide
expertise, surely only the best can be derived out of this.
My stay in Tottori has been awesome so far, am surrounded by safe, calm, clean andbeautiful environment, one which is so safe that I can leave the lab at 1230 midnight, and walk homewith no fear for anything, what a safe place! One outstanding thing that Tottori has taught me is toknow how to ride a bicycle, one thing I never thought I would ever do in my life, here I am owningand riding one, also learning to speak and write ‘Nihongo’ which is thrilling too.
Finally, for those that want to study in a calm and steady environment, Tottori University is the place
to be. The pressures of busy cities are unheard of here which gives your mind good environment forstudying, meditating, and re - organisation in the event you need such.

Tottori University’s United Graduate School of Agricultural
Sciences (UGSAS) is one of the six (6) such schools throughout Japan. It pulls
Faculties and Research facilities from three co-operating universities namely:
Tottori University, Shimane University, and Yamaguchi University. This has
given the UGSAS popularly called Tottori-Rengou the strength of three
universities combined into one big, advanced, and reputable international
university.
Thus, it is a rare privilege for me to study in such an institution as
a doctoral student through the Japan International Co-operation Agency(JICA)’s Agriculture Studies Networks (Agri-Net)
JOHN SEYE OLANREWAJU（Nigeria）
scholarship program. I am highly honored to be given
admission into Tottori-Rengou as a second-time JICA
Doctoral Student at Course of Global
Scholar, first as an African Business Initiative (ABE)
Dryland Science, United Graduate School
Scholar, and then as an Agri-Net Scholar both under JICA.
Tottori University has trained lots ofof Agricultural Sciences (UGSAS), Tottoriinternational
students
from across the globe and I am
University, Japan
delighted to be one of the students that are passing
through Tottori University. It is home to all and sundry as it is foreigner-friendly. Located in a serene
environment conducive to both academic and research activities.
Are you a prospective student or researcher? Wouldn’t you rather study at Tottori University
for the speedy actualization of your career and professional goals?
Havingthechance to study in a JapaneseDoctoral Student at Course ofuniversity
is
a
huge
Bioproduction and Bioenvironmental
opportunity and a great
Sciences, United Graduate School of
opening to technology for
Agricultural Sciences (UGSAS), Tottori
developing countries. As an
University, Japanagro-economist and researchengineer, I was enrolled
under the JICA Agri-Net program, which gave me this great opportunity to complete my Ph D in thisprestigious University of Tottori. This JICA Agri-Net program allows young professionals to build a
successful career around training and internships on technology and modernization of Japanese agriculture.
DIDIER SAWADOGO（Burkina Faso）

Upon my arrival in Tottori, I was warmly welcomed by my laboratory colleague Mr.
Yamamoto Yuki who patiently introduced me to Japanese life. I am very grateful to Mr. Yuki who madeenough efforts to make my stay in Tottori city pleasant. I would like to say a huge thank you to Prof. Ichizen
MATUSMURA who facilitated my integration and put all the means at my disposal to make my studies
pleasant. Prof. Kumi YASUNOBU opened her laboratory to me and this allowed me to improve my workand refine my academic research and all the students have warmly allowed my integration to Tottori
University. Also, I was very impressed by the staff of the International Affairs Division/Student Exchange
Section (IAD) who are always smiling, welcoming and very available to render service despite their oftenvery busy schedules. My stay was enjoyable due to the tireless support and assistance of the IAD and always
encourages them in this friendly and helpful atmosphere for international students.
For me, Tottori University remains one of the best universities in Japan. It welcomeshuge international students every year which allows and benefits from this cultural mix. Its library offers apleasant environment to study and do research. It is equipped with thousands of books in English andJapanese and the multitude and diversity of the books makes me spend full days reading in the library.
Punctuality, diligence, respect for hierarchy, hard work, and honesty are great values that I have developed
through my studies and my professional relationships with Japanese people.
Finally, I would like to give immense gratitude to all the staff of IAD who allowed me toimmerse myself in cultural activities that allowed me to learn more about the rich Japanese tradition. Tottori
University with its better facilities and equipment and holding a better educational system allowed me towork in a pleasant way and acquire solid scientific knowledge.
I would like to thank very sincerely the JICA Agri-Net program which offered me this great
opportunity to build a dynamic professional career and immense experience gained in workshops, seminars
and organized trips. Thank you very much for all the Japanese friends and international students to whom
we had a great time.
TAREQ A.S. ABUBAKER （Palestine）

My first experienced
at tottori university was in 2016,
Doctoral Student at Course ofwhen I came for a training on
Bioproduction and Bioenvironmental
appropriate management for land
Sciences, United Graduate School ofand water resource for sustainable
Agricultural Sciences (UGSAS), Tottori
agriculture in arid and semi-arid
region. During the training I was
University, Japanamazed with the facilities andlecturers at the university. I also participated in many research/field visits. The good memories of educationand social life made me to always think of coming back to Tottori University to achieve my dream ofcompleting Ph.D. studies. I then got the opportunity through JICA to be back in 2021 to make my dreamcomes true.
Tottori prefecture one of an amazing quite area to live around the world, it is a mainly rural prefecturewith
its
coastline
famousforthe
Tottori
Sand
Dunes.
One of my favorite things is getting to know new places in Tottori City such as visiting sea ,Tottori Sand
Dunes, Tottori Prefectural Flower Park and many other places .Also there are many things I like to do suchas walking in beautiful nature, learn more about traditional Japanese culture, anime and getting new friends .
I am delighted to have the opportunity to study about entomology at Tottori University. This
improved my knowledge and great interest in using semi chemical control methods by means of utilizing
natural insect pheromones as part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Now, I can study thisspecialization and disseminate this information to the concerned authorities responsible for the agricultural
sector in Palestine in order to help farmers, raise awareness, reduce use of chemical pesticides anddissemination of the concept of biological control by using pheromone traps.
Lastly, I want to thank JICA and Tottori University that gave me the opportunity to be able to study at
Tottori University as Ph.D. student.

Arrived on, 2021 September 8th, at Tottori airport for
PhD training. I was greeting at Arid Land Research Center (ARLC)
by my supervisor Prof. Fujimaki, my colleague’s student and Japanese
for a welcome party as well was it like yesterday. Tottori University inthe quietest place in Japan to study with various foreign students fromAfrica, South Asia, and Europe. The University has a large library,
and restaurant for students with different dishes.
I was very happy with the support from the
NANA JEAN BOSCO（Burkina Faso）
International Affairs Division about University documents
required, they advices for well living in Tottori city, andDoctoral Student at Course of Global
medical check for student support. I did my Japanese classA, last semester and I plan to perform my language during
Dryland Science, United Graduateallmy studying in the University. I meet Ito Sensei. She
School of Agricultural Sciences (UGSAS),
teachesme like a mother, and I do not miss Japanese class
Tottori University, Japan
most of times. Then, I made friends with otherinternational students. I’m able to write my name in Katakana Nana san （ナナさん） and I noticed
that Nana is 7 and san is 3. As a student from arid regions from Africa, I do my PhD research, at the
ARLC in the Irrigation and drainage Lab. My PhD studies focus on Rainwater Harvesting System using
Plastic Sheet and Tank, combined with automatic drip irrigation for enhance food and energies security.
I remember until today, I did my best choice to study dryland sciences at ARLC, Tottori
University. For those who want to contribute sustainable food production and water management,
especially in semi-arid and arid regions, I recommend you Tottori University, Japan.
Tottori city is a famous place to visit when you are studying, visit the sand dunes near ARLC.
From ARLC you can reach by 15 min by bicycle, it is a unique place in Japan with camels and a large
view of the beach would make you travel the sea one time. Indeed, from my Lab at ARLC, went back to
my home the Tottori University, International House（Kaikan） by shuttle bus or bicycle with around 25
min. I live in 5F with students from Indonesia, China, Malaysia, and my colleague from Burkina Faso, we
make good friends and share the kitchen room. During holiday, when the weather is good, especially on
Saturday I play soccer with my friends from Soudan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Palestrina, andJapanese Friends. After that, sometimes I went to eat the delicious dishes like ramen, and sushi at
restaurants or at convenient stores and talk to nice and respectful people.
Downtown Tottori, by jitensha (bicycle) or densha (train) make me find in love the city withvarious place I visited. In addition, I met kind workers at Tottori City Hall taking care about my living
registration for a well staying in the city during my study when I arrived. I visited Mt. Daisen, with myProfessor; Acham Mater’s student from Kenya and Dr. Hassan from Egypt. We reach at the top of themountain 1709 meters, and get a large view of the beautiful nature, drink a cup of Japanese green tea.
Getting a rare opportunity to study in Japan, I would like to express all my gratitude to Tottori University
President, Professors and IAD staff for convenient place for studying and research facilities.
I would like to thank JICA, through JICA Chugoku for they kind support, scholarship andwell management for studying in Japan based on their long-term program Agri-Net. To summarize, in a
few words if you are, undergraduate, researcher or graduate student from developing countries ordeveloped countries, please don’t think about other Universities, here you found Tottori University,
Japan, Good luck.

I first travelled to Japan on
27th October 2021 through Narita
international airport. After I wasDoctoral Student at Department ofdone with immigration procedures
Engineering, Graduate School ofand cleared to exit the airport.
Engineering, Tottori University, Japan
Outside I met JICA officer alreadywaiting for me. She warmly
welcomed me and helped me to exchange money to Japanese currency.
Thereafter, she led me to a waiting bus to take me to a hotel room where I spend
fourteen days quarantined because of Covid 19. I was assigned a huge hotel room
at MyStay Hotel next to the Narita international airport. The two weeks wererelatively hard for me because we couldn’t move out of my hotel room. I however enjoyed the hotel food
while watching aircrafts taking off from Narita airport.
PETER OBOSO BENARD（Kenya）

At the end of the two weeks, I travelled to Tottori University in Tottori city. Here, I have met
many other international students who have made my stay fun. However, so far, I haven’t had much of anexperience about Japanese life and culture because of the COVID-19 restrictions. Nevertheless, I have
had some nice experiences in the last few months of my stay. Japanese culture is truly unique and very
different from the life I am used to in Nairobi. Here in Japan, there seems to be fewer random interactive
activities as many prefer staying alone or not taking the first step on most occasions. Interestingly, one
can literally live off supplies from vending machines located in even unlikely locations around the city.
Japanese food is wonderful too as most of the food tastes similar to some Kenyan recipes. I love Japanese
grilled cow meat served with rice and ocha (Japanese tea). However, everything seems so expensive.
I have also heard stories that it is not acceptable to give small tips contrary to the Kenyan
culture where it is almost assumed not tipping is a form of stinginess. Actually, I’m informed, tipping is
unacceptable and is considered offensive. Also, recently I forgot to take my one yen from the money
machine and the teller came running apologetically with my one yen, just one yen! In my mind I was like,
who will do that in Kenya for just one shilling, just a shilling! Maybe not even me, hehe.
In my first month of stay here, I got the opportunity of joining other international students forcity tour around Tottori city. I was particularly fascinated by the traditional Japanese house called Minka.
This family building history dates back to 400 years. I was amazed to hear that it is the only house thatwithstood a devastating earthquake and fire disasters that occurred a few years after World War II. It is
worth noticing that many of the traditional architectures such as temples, shrines and castles still have theJapanese traditional building styles. Currently, Japanese family houses have evolved to incorporate somewestern building styles.
These has been my experience here at Tottori as I seek my academic dream, it can be your experience too.

Message from Former Students
I was enrolled in Tottori University in October 2015
as Abe initiative Master student. I love Tottori University becauseof its reputability in research aspects concerning agriculture,especially in Arid and semi-arid region. It has first class welltrained and experienced Professors that are ready to share theirimportant knowledge. Due to its well-known research capabilities,
it trains people on appropriate management of land and water
resources for sustainable agriculture in arid andDayyabu, Muhammad Zaharaddeen
semi-arid region for participant from many
（Nigeria）
developing countries every year.

Master student at Graduate School of
Agriculture, Laboratory of Water Use andManagement, Tottori University, JapanI am happy to have this great
opportunity of studying at Tottori University.
Which equipped me with strong academic
foundation, with solid research abilities
enhanced through practical research with anadvanced technical education, under supervision of Prof. Katsuyuki Shimizu and Dr. Yumi Yoshioka
in laboratory of water use and management.
I
specialized in on-farm water management, which I did my research on comparative study of land andwater improvement project and management system between Japan and Nigeria. I got awards of
excellent poster presentation at the 8th international conference on environmental and ruraldevelopment (ICERD) in Thailand. This is because of the high research skills and knowledge I
acquired from Tottori University, Japan.

Also, living in Tottori city is a wonderful experience. Tottori city is the most sparsely
populated part of Japan, making it a good choice for anyone wanting to get away from the bustle ofcities like Tokyo. It is also home to one of Japan’s most bizarre features, the Tottori sand dunes, whichis few kilometers from the university. The dunes, which are completely unique in Japan, look likesomething from the Sahara Desert. With imported Camels, which roam around, and add to the
fantastic feeling that one has stepped through a portal into the Middle East. It also has a Sand Museum,
where different kind of arts work with sand and water only can be seen. Living in Tottori city also isvery cheap.
Finally, I would like to inspire everyone that’s need to acquire advance technical,
practical analytic and problem solving skills through research to come to Tottori University, Japan.

I believe that Tottori University is one of the best choices for
an international student who would want to study in Japan. Having
enrolled for a Master course in the Mechanical Engineering in thegraduate school of engineering and my personal experience as aninternational student, the guidance and treatment afforded to me duringadmission made me feel welcomed and wanted to be part of thecommunity. Here are some reasons why international students should
aspire to study in Tottori University.

For career prospects in the future forinternational
student
who consider returning to their
Zachariah Kinyua Magondu(Kenya)
countries or working in Japan the quality of education in
Master student at Graduate School ofthis University commands significant influence. EachEngineering, Tottori University, Japandepartment at Tottori University is strong and boasts aworld–class faculty. The university and its vicinity are
beautiful and the weather is very diverse all year round and as long as you are armed with a sturdy
winter coat, snow boots and an umbrella you will be good for the rest of the year. Culture is a really
important aspect to the overall university experience and here you will be able to learn more about
culture diversity. My experience at Tottori University for period remains an integral part of myjourney towards academic excellence. You can also experience the same as you pursue your studies.
I really feel I am lucky enoughto be a part of ABE initiative. This
program allowed me to gain a
Master student at Graduate School ofmaster degree in one of beautiful
Agriculture, Tottori University, Japanand wonder Japanese universities
as well as to do summer internship in great Japanese company. This program
made me know better and deeper the Japanese people through interaction
with them everywhere. They were always kind, well-organized, helpful andrespectful people. In Japan I learned so many things such as punctuality
arrangement.
Omer Badi Mohammed Badi (Sudan)

I started my study of master’s in agriculture at Tottori University in 2015. This university is
well-equipped with facilities and professional staff. Joyfulness starts since welcome party ofenrollment and continues up to graduation ceremony. We enjoyed fruitful classes and easily did ourexperiments by using highly equipped laboratories. Throughout the study life we enjoyed “Nihongo”
and many events and festivals at the main campus or around the city. In addition to community
activities such as planting and harvesting rice in Chizu to send to the orphans in Africa, participatingin public activities, visiting and interacting with neighboring schools. Studying at a Japanese
university is a good opportunity to create friendship and good relations with both Japanese andinternational students. Now we are approaching for graduation and really it seems time is flying.
I would like here to avail this opportunity to express my deeply thanks and gratitude forJapan and Japanese people for their kindness and hospitality. My thanks and gratitude is extended to
my sponsor “JICA” for offering this chance to me to be a part of ABE initiative.

If you are lucky too, come and enjoy study at Tottori University!