世界の食糧問題に取り組みたい。複数の内定を辞退し、愛工大から私の研究室へ。研究生1年、修士課程2年、博士課程1年の延べ4年間、水稲栽培の基礎を叩き込む。そして、いよいよ今月末から念願の国際舞台へ。ガーナのウェタ灌漑地区にて、灌漑事務所の普及スタッフと伴に働く。今夜は、その出発前に、苦労を共にした研究室の後輩と最後の夜。2年後の無事な再会を期して。

Taking the Next Step
”I want to tackle global food security issues.” She declined multiple job offers and joined my research laboratory from the Aichi Institute of Technology. Over a total of four years—one year as a research student, two years in the master’s program, and one year in the doctoral program—she was thoroughly trained in the fundamentals of rice cultivation. And now, finally, at the end of this month, she will step onto the international stage she has long aspired to reach. She will work alongside extension staff at the irrigation office in the Weta Irrigation Scheme in Ghana. Tonight is her final evening with the junior members of the research laboratory, who have shared in her struggles. We toast to her safe reunion in two years.