By Kurian Musa
NJORO, Kenya, July 28, 2026 — Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) has identified Egerton University as its most important institutional partner in Africa and announced plans to significantly expand research, teaching, student exchange, and agricultural innovation collaboration between the two universities.
Speaking during a bilateral engagement with Vice Chancellor Prof Isaac Kibwage at Egerton University on July 28, NAU Vice President Prof. FENG Shiyu said the partnership had produced substantial academic and research outcomes over the past two decades and should now move into a new phase of strategic cooperation.
The Vice President said that between 2003 and June 2026, NAU had trained 158 Kenyan master’s and doctoral students, the majority of whom were affiliated with Egerton University. During the same period, the Chinese university had conducted 61 agricultural training sessions in collaboration with Egerton, strengthening capacity in agricultural research and development.
VC-Prof. Isaac Kibwage handing a gift to the Nanjing Agricultural University Vice President Prof. FENG Shuyi when they paid him a courtesy call in his office at Egerton University main campus-NjoroTo deepen the partnership, the Prof. FENG proposed the establishment and expansion of joint research laboratories.
She said the existing China-Kenya Joint Laboratory for Crop Molecular Biology should broaden its research activities and scientific engagement. She also proposed the establishment of a new Joint Laboratory for Agro-Livestock Products Processing to strengthen value addition, food processing research, and agro-industrial innovation.
The Vice President also called for stronger collaboration in the teaching of Chinese language and culture at Egerton University. She said NAU was ready to support the development of a Chinese language undergraduate programme, a move expected to enhance academic exchange and strengthen cultural and educational ties between the two institutions.
On student mobility, she proposed expanding training opportunities to include undergraduate students, in addition to postgraduate scholars. She also recommended the introduction of short-term exchange programmes for both undergraduate and postgraduate students to increase international exposure and collaborative learning.
The Vice President highlighted the success of the Poverty Alleviation Demonstration Village initiative, describing it as a model that had received national and international recognition.
She said the programme at Matangi Tisa in Bahati should be expanded through increased training and capacity-building so that more farmers across Kenya could benefit from improved agricultural practices and rural development interventions.
Beyond agriculture, she urged both universities to explore additional areas of collaboration, including information management and digital systems that support research, innovation, and institutional development.
The Vice President also extended an invitation to Egerton University Vice Chancellor Professor Isaac Kibwage to visit Nanjing Agricultural University in October 2026 during the World Agriculture Prize Award, where further discussions on the expanded partnership are expected to take place.
In his remarks, Prof Kibwage said the announcements signal a significant strengthening of the long-standing Kenya-China higher education partnership, with increased emphasis on joint research infrastructure, student mobility, language education, and community-based agricultural transformation.
Writer is Communication Officer, Directorate of Communication and Marketing
Email:
