Afterwards the delegation visited ASTU satellite ground control center and observed the work on satellite technology in progress. Dr. Shimelis underscored that the team of researchers in STI had gained significant experience during their PhD study at KARI (Korean Aerospace Research Institute). Currently the team is establishing a workshop with all the facilities for managing satellite technology development. The visiting team expressed their satisfaction with the progress that ASTU is making towards realizing the responsibilities bestowed on it by the government. The experts from MinT encouraged the researchers to engage pertinent stakeholders such as universities with similar efforts and private companies in the process.

The minister of MinT, Dr. Belete Molla, his deputy Dr. Bayissa and all the top officials of the ministry expressed their satisfaction with the progress being made in STI. The Minister sated the visit was part of MinT’s effort to map resources in Ethiopia. The mister reiterated that ASTU has got experts who can spearhead the development of drones and satellite and that STI has got the potential to be the national hub in drone and satellite technology. He noted that these efforts are important for the development of the nation. He underscored that readiness of the ministry to support ASTU in this process.