Tapping China’s exposure to boost training in cutting-edge technologies
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Mount Kenya University (MKU) and China’s Nanjing Zhongxing Xinyada Information Technology Co Ltd, has borne fruit. The MoU, signed in September 2024, led to the signing of five other tripartite pacts with higher education institutions in China last May.
MKU will partner with the Chinese institutions to offer digital education in areas such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cable fibre/ line installation, and drone accreditation.
These partnerships, explains MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof Deograius JAGANYI, provide an opportunity for Kenyan students and professionals to upskill and earn internationally recognised accreditations in cutting-edge technology fields.
The initiative is a major pillar of MKU’s strategy to fully integrate AI and modern tech into its education system while expanding technical and vocational education and training (TVET). These programmes are designed to equip MKU students with hands-on, industry-ready skills that meet global standards. Additional areas of collaboration include joint scientific research, curriculum co-development, student and teacher exchanges, joint support to the UN Global Goals or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda, and the development of ethical frameworks for data security and digital literacy.
MKU and Nanjing Zhongxing Xinyada Information Technology Co Ltd are the constants in the five MoUs. The other Chinese institutions that signed the pacts with the two partners are: Nanjing Vocational College of Information Technology, Zhejiang Post and Telecommunication College, Suzhou Higher Vocational School, Shandong Vocational College of Industry, and Hebei Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Technology.
Prof JAGANYI notes that the initial MoU signed in September 2024 with Nanjing Zhongxing Xinyada Information Technology Co Ltd has grown remarkably since. The partnership of two organisations has now become a consortium of seven organisations in less than two years.
The Vice-Chancellor confirmed MKU’s commitment to supporting the China-Africa Skills Supermarket project, cloud computing platform construction, staff and student exchanges, and joint promotion of the SDGs.
MKU Corporate Services Principal, Prof Peter Wanderi, who accompanied the VC on the trip, pointed out that the digital training driven by the Chinese institution will boost the university’s promotion of SDGs, both within the University and at the community level. MKU promotes all SDGs through its teaching, research and community outreach, and is the UNAI Hub for SDG 10, which focuses on Developing Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructures.
