Kenya’s Egerton University and Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) of China have renewed their longstanding partnership, now in its fourth decade, with plans underway to establish a Nanjing Agricultural University Africa Campus at Egerton’s Njoro Main Campus.
The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), running from July 2025 to July 2030, emphasizes joint research, academic exchanges, and a transformative model of collaboration grounded in mutual benefit and sustainable development.
Egerton Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage revealed that a proposal to host NAU’s Africa Campus was made in September 2024, followed by NAU’s application to the Commission for University Education (CUE) in March 2025. The Chinese institution now awaits CUE’s feedback.
Prof. Kibwage hailed the renewed partnership, noting that it would strengthen institutional capacity, promote joint degree programmes, and enhance digital skills and human capital development in line with global trends. He also proposed that Egerton host a programme office or collaboration centre, potentially integrating activities of the Confucius Institute.
The MoU also paves the way for Egerton to lead the Global Alliance of Confucius Institutes with Agricultural Characteristics, to be launched in November 2025. This alliance will promote agricultural education and research globally.
NAU Vice President Prof. Zhu Yan praised the partnership, stating it aligns with both universities’ internationalization goals and meets the rising demand for skilled graduates in agriculture and technology.
Founded in 1902, NAU ranks among China’s top 50 universities and is renowned for its agricultural research. Egerton, established in 1939 and Kenya’s oldest university, has gained global recognition through innovations and student achievements, including accolades in the Huawei ICT Competition and Chinese innovation contests.
The renewed collaboration reflects deepening Sino-Kenyan ties in education, innovation, and cultural exchange.
