Egerton University has successfully completed a high-profile mission to China, comprising a strategic visit to Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) on 13 November 2025 and active participation in the World Chinese Language Conference held in Beijing from 14 to 16 November 2025. The engagements reaffirmed the longstanding ties between the two institutions and strengthened Egerton University’s visibility in global academic and cultural education networks.
The visit to Nanjing Agricultural University brought together senior leadership from both institutions. The Egerton University delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac O. Kibwage, was hosted by NAU President Prof. CHEN Fadi and his senior team.The NAU team was led by Prof. Chen Fadi, President of NAU, accompanied by Prof. Wu Rongshun, Vice President. Also present was Prof. Chen Jie, who serves as Secretary of the CPC General Branch Committee for the College of International Education. The delegation further included Prof. Wang Xiue from the College of Agriculture and Director of the China–Kenya Belt & Road Joint Laboratory on Crop Molecular Biology, as well as Assoc. Prof. Liu Yutao, Associate Dean of the College of International Education and Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Egerton University. The team was supported by Mr. Xia Lei, Coordinator of the Office of International Relations.
From the EU side, the delegation consisted of Prof. Isaac O. Kibwage, Vice Chancellor, together with Prof. Daniel O. Auka, Director of International Linkages. They were joined by Prof. Arnold M. Opiyo, the Kenyan Director of the Confucius Institute at Egerton University. The discussions focused on reviewing the achievements realized over more than three decades of collaboration and identifying new areas of mutual growth.In his welcoming remarks, President Prof. CHEN Fadi expressed deep appreciation for the longstanding friendship between the two universities. He reflected on the evolution of the partnership, which began through horticulture teaching and training support to Egerton University and has since expanded into broad academic, scientific, and community-focused initiatives.
He celebrated the training provided to both Kenya’s academic staff and farmers, and highlighted the establishment of the poverty alleviation village at Matangi Tisa in Nakuru County—an initiative recognized by the United Nations for its community impact.Prof. Chen outlined four core areas for advancing the collaboration: strengthening the Confucius Institute at Egerton University with a distinct agricultural focus; addressing the practical needs of researchers at Egerton through sustained support to the Belt and Road Joint Laboratory; promoting cultural exchanges and youth innovation; and deepening technology sharing, particularly in crop improvement and sustainable agriculture. He also reaffirmed NAU’s commitment to refurbish the Chinese Language Laboratory at Egerton University and to offer two postdoctoral training opportunities for Egerton staff and students.
Further technical updates were provided by Prof. WANG Xiue, who leads the China–Kenya Belt and Road Joint Molecular Biology Laboratory. She confirmed that the first construction phase of the lab, running from 2019 to 2025, had been completed and evaluated by China’s Ministry of Education. Pending official results, expectations remain high for a positive rating that will allow the lab to transition into a new functional phase. NAU has already submitted an application to the Jiangsu Provincial Government to secure additional support for the facility, reflecting its growing importance as a regional scientific hub.
In his remarks, Egerton University Vice Chancellor Prof. Kibwage reflected on the rich history of cooperation between Kenya and China that began in the mid-1990s. He described the partnership with NAU as one of the most productive and impactful in Egerton University’s history. Over the years, the collaboration has supported extensive capacity building across the Faculty of Agriculture and related disciplines, resulting in the training of highly qualified PhD holders in fields such as horticulture, agronomy, animal science, veterinary sciences, agricultural engineering, and environmental science.He further noted the transformative role of the Confucius Institute at Egerton University, which was established in 2012 with a unique agricultural focus. The Institute has since touched the lives of students, staff, community members, and farmers through language training, cultural exchanges, and agricultural programs.
The Belt and Road Joint Laboratory, he added, has become one of the most advanced research platforms in the region, attracting international scholars and contributing to groundbreaking research.Prof. Kibwage documented the extensive benefits arising from the collaboration, including scholarships for undergraduate students, short courses for senior government officials, postgraduate training opportunities, and outreach programs that have trained more than 2,400 farmers across Kenya. He expressed gratitude to NAU, the Jiangsu Provincial Government, and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya for their continued partnership.Following the visit to Nanjing, the Egerton delegation traveled to Beijing to participate in the World Chinese Language Conference.
Held at the China National Convention Center, the conference convened educators, researchers, diplomats, and scholars from around the world under the theme “Innovation Leads, AI Empowers: Learning Chinese Without Borders.” Organized by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and related institutions, the event examined the evolving landscape of Chinese language learning, particularly in light of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.The opening ceremony featured a keynote address by Vice Premier DING Xuexiang, who underscored China’s commitment to supporting global Chinese language education as a vital bridge for cultural exchange, international dialogue, and economic cooperation. He emphasized the need to enhance the quality of Chinese teaching programs, embrace digital and AI-driven learning tools, and build stronger global ecosystems for Chinese language studies.Egerton University played a prominent role at the conference. Vice Chancellor Prof. Kibwage delivered two presentations highlighting the university’s pioneering work in integrating agricultural studies into Chinese language education and in building broader collaborative frameworks under the “Chinese +” model.
These presentations elevated the university’s international profile and showcased its leadership in innovative academic partnerships.A major milestone was the launch of the Global Alliance of Confucius Institutes with Agricultural Characteristics, where Egerton University—together with Nanjing Agricultural University—was selected to spearhead the initiative. This recognition positioned Egerton University at the forefront of new global efforts to integrate language, agricultural expertise, and community development.The mission to China concluded with several forward-looking action points. These include the revitalization of the Belt and Road Laboratory at Egerton University, improved acknowledgement of the lab’s role in scientific publications, expedited placement of NAU-sponsored doctoral and postdoctoral candidates, development of Chinese language certificate and diploma curricula, recognition of Chinese language proficiency within Kenya’s qualification framework, and the establishment of the proposed Nanjing Agricultural University Africa Campus at Egerton University.
Together, the visit to NAU and participation in the World Chinese Language Conference marked a significant step in reinforcing Egerton University’s global partnerships, enhancing its research capabilities, and expanding its role in international education and cultural exchange.
Edited by: Prof. Arnold Opiyo and Prof. Daniel Auka
