Mount Kenya University Establishes Tech Partnership with Chinese Institutions

Mount Kenya University (MKU) has significantly expanded its global academic and industry presence through a groundbreaking trilateral cooperation agreement with Chinese telecommunications and information technology institutions.
The Kenyan university formalized the agreement with Zhejiang Post and Telecommunication College (ZPTC) and Nanjing Zhongxing Xinyada Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Xinyada) in China.
The high-level signing ceremony, conducted at Zhejiang Post and Telecommunication College in May 2026, inaugurated a new phase of collaboration centered on digital education, vocational excellence, industry-academia integration and China-Africa sustainable development.
The event united prominent academic leaders, corporate executives and institutional representatives from the three organizations, highlighting a collective dedication to cultivating globally competitive digital talent.
During the ceremony, MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi stressed the importance of the partnership in promoting digital transformation, innovation and sustainable development throughout Africa.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the collaboration builds upon the solid foundation established in September 2024, when Xinyada initially partnered with MKU. This relationship has subsequently expanded into a broader consortium encompassing numerous higher education institutions in China.
What started as a bilateral partnership has quickly evolved into a consortium of global partners dedicated to advancing digital growth, skills development, and innovation across Africa,” stated Prof. Jaganyi.
He further noted that the partnership aligns with MKU’s strategic position as the United Nations Academic Impact Hub Chair for Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) for the 2025–2030 period.
The agreement facilitates opportunities for joint talent training programs,
A significant achievement of the partnership includes Xinyada’s establishment of a Cloud Computing Facility at the university, which is anticipated to substantially enhance MKU’s technological infrastructure while establishing the institution as a premier center for digital innovation, cloud technology training and advanced ICT capacity development in Africa.
The trilateral partnership serves as a model framework for connecting education with industry requirements, ensuring graduates possess practical competencies that address emerging global technological demands.
The ceremony concluded with optimism and renewed dedication from all parties to nurture long-term cooperation that will generate measurable educational, economic and social benefits.
Through this strategic alliance, MKU continues to showcase its commitment to internationalization, academic excellence, and transformative partnerships that significantly contribute to Africa’s digital future. The landmark agreement not only strengthens MKU’s global standing but also confirms its dedication to empowering communities through education, innovation, and strategic international collaborations.
Drone Simulation Technology for Security and Media Applications
The agreement, formalized during the MKU delegation’s visit to China earlier this month, enables the two institutions to collaborate on advanced digital skills training, with an emphasis on drone simulation technology for reskilling learners across various sectors, including security, journalism, agriculture and disaster management, among others.
At the signing ceremony, MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi reaffirmed the university’s dedication to industry-academia partnerships as catalysts for national and continental development. He stated that the new collaboration also aligns with MKU’s role as the United Nations Academic Impact Hub Chair for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) for the 2025–2030 period.
Vice President Zhang Ying of Nanjing Zhongxing XinYaDa Information Technology Co., LTD, a key facilitator of the consortium, also attended the ceremony, emphasizing the strengthening synergy between Chinese vocational institutions and African universities.
The drone simulation program is anticipated to equip Kenyan students and professionals with practical, job-ready skills that address emerging labor market demands. Applications include aerial security surveillance, drone-assisted journalism, precision agriculture, and emergency response.
Prof. Jaganyi highlighted MKU’s commitment to the principle of “leaving no one behind” in Africa’s digital transformation journey, noting that the partnership will also facilitate staff and student exchanges, joint promotion of Sustainable Development Goals, and the establishment of cloud computing infrastructure at MKU.
The MoU contributes to MKU’s expanding network of Chinese partners, which includes Nanjing Zhongxing XinYaDa, Hebei Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Technology, and Nanjing Vocational College of Information Technology, all part of an emerging China-Africa skills consortium.
We believe this collaboration will generate the essential synergy to drive digital growth across the African continent,” stated the MKU Vice-Chancellor.