NAIROBI, Kenya — Mount Kenya University has strengthened its international academic and technology footprint after signing two major cooperation agreements with Chinese institutions aimed at advancing digital skills, vocational training, and innovation across Africa.
The university signed a trilateral partnership agreement with Zhejiang Post and Telecommunication College and Nanjing Zhongxing Xinyada Information Technology Co., Ltd. during a high-level ceremony held in China in May 2026.
The agreement focuses on digital education, vocational excellence, industry-academia collaboration, and sustainable China-Africa development. Academic leaders, corporate executives, and institutional representatives from the three organizations attended the event.
Speaking during the ceremony, MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi said the partnership would accelerate digital transformation and innovation while strengthening Africa’s technological capacity.
“What began as a partnership between two institutions has rapidly grown into a consortium of global partners committed to driving digital growth, skills development, and innovation across Africa,” said Prof. Jaganyi.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the collaboration builds on an earlier partnership established in September 2024 between MKU and Xinyada. He said the alliance now includes several higher education institutions in China.
Prof. Jaganyi added that the initiative aligns with MKU’s role as the United Nations Academic Impact Hub Chair for Sustainable Development Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure for the 2025–2030 period.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the institutions will jointly develop international vocational standards, digital curricula, and cloud computing platforms. The agreement also provides for staff and student exchange programmes, internship opportunities, and collaborative talent development initiatives.
The partners will further support the China-Africa Skills Supermarket project, an initiative aimed at bridging digital skills gaps and preparing graduates for emerging global technology demands.
A key component of the partnership is the establishment of a cloud computing facility at MKU by Xinyada. The university said the facility is expected to strengthen its technological infrastructure and position the institution as a regional hub for cloud technology training and advanced ICT capacity building.
University officials described the partnership as a model for integrating academic training with industry needs to ensure graduates acquire practical competencies relevant to evolving labour markets.
Meanwhile, MKU also signed a separate Memorandum of Understanding with Suzhou Higher Vocational and Technical School to introduce drone simulation training programmes targeting sectors such as security, journalism, agriculture, and disaster management.
The agreement was signed during the MKU delegation’s visit to China earlier this month.
According to the university, the drone simulation programme will equip students and professionals with practical skills in aerial surveillance, drone-assisted journalism, precision agriculture, and emergency response operations.
Vice President Zhang Ying attended the signing ceremony and highlighted the growing cooperation between Chinese vocational institutions and African universities.
Prof. Jaganyi said the university remains committed to ensuring Africa’s digital transformation agenda leaves no one behind.
“We believe this collaboration will create the necessary synergy to bring about digital growth across the African continent,” he said.
