Mount Kenya University (MKU) has secured a transformative partnership with Nanjing Vocational College of Information Technology (NJCIT) and Nanjing Zhongxing Xinyanda Information Technology Co., paving the way for Kenyan students and professionals to upskill and earn internationally recognized accreditations in cutting-edge technology fields.
The landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed during a grand ceremony in Nanjing, will see MKU collaborate with the Chinese institutions to offer Xinyanda-accredited courses in 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Drone Simulation, and Cable Fiber/Line technology.
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 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-construction, student and teacher exchanges, and the development of ethical frameworks for data security and digital literacy.
At NJCIT, Principal Prof. Kong Jie presided over a heartfelt welcome ceremony for the Kenyan delegation, which included MKU Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, Prof. Peter Wanderi, Principal of Corporate Services, Marketing, Communication & Alumni Relations, and Director of Linkages, Partnerships and Collaborations at MKU and Dr Daniel Oloo, Senior Lecturer, Journalism and Mass Communication at MKU.
Speaking on behalf of all teachers and students of NJCIT, Prof. Kong Jie noted the joint opening of a training course for managers and backbone teachers under the Future Africa-China-Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Plan. Prof. Kong Jie described this as a milestone in China-Kenya vocational education cooperation.
He also highlighted that the training would cover network and communication, intelligent manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. He expressed his belief that this would be not only a journey to improve professional ability but also a journey of friendship between civilizations and mutual learning.
Speaking via Zoom meeting on behalf of the MKU lecturers and trainers present, Dr. Merciline Kamande, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Research Affairs at MKU, expressed her deep appreciation to NJCIT for the opportunity, noting that the MKU team was eagerly awaiting the Training of Trainers course in AI, which she described as a valuable combination with an introduction to Chinese culture.
She further stated that they hoped to learn AI proficiently over time, as well as the Chinese language, through the course, and thanked all present as they looked forward to the training.
In a fitting climax to the historic ceremony, NJCIT conferred the prestigious title of Visiting Professor upon Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, Vice Chancellor of Mount Kenya University, and Prof. Peter Wanderi of MKU.
The recognition honoured their outstanding leadership in advancing applied education, fostering international cooperation, and championing the integration of AI and modern technology into African higher education.
The awards cemented the personal and institutional bonds between MKU and its Chinese partners, heralding a new era of collaboration that will directly benefit MKU students, community and faculty for years to come.
