Egerton University on Thursday hosted Her Excellency Guo Haiyan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya, who awarded scholarships to outstanding students in recognition of the growing educational and research collaboration between China and Kenya.
The Ambassador was warmly received by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac O. Kibwage, at his office, where she signed the visitors’ book and was introduced to members of the University Management Board (UMB), including Prof. Bernard O. Aduda (Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Research & Extension), Prof. Richard Mulwa (Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Finance & Planning), Prof. Joshua O. Ogendo (Principal, Nakuru Town Campus College), Prof. Mwanarusi Saidi (Registrar Academic Affairs), Leonard K. Chesang (Ag. Registrar Human Capital & Administration), Ms. Janegrace Kinyanjui (University Librarian) and Chief Finance Officer Mr. Charles Wanjohi.
In his remarks, Prof. Kibwage emphasized the enduring 30-year collaboration between Egerton University and Nanjing Agricultural University, which has fostered academic exchanges, research partnerships and institutional capacity building. He also highlighted the significant contribution of the China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to research infrastructure at Egerton, including the establishment of the Molecular Laboratory headed by Prof. Richard Mulwa.
Following the initial meeting, the Ambassador, accompanied by Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, Principal-Secretary for Research in Kneya (currently on unpaid leave from Egerton University for national government duties), was taken on a tour of the University’s Agro-Science Park.
The main office building of the science park was built with support from the Chinese Government and serves as a hub for seed innovation and research into climate-resilient crop varieties. During the visit the guests signed the park’s guest book, and engaged in discussions about the development of seed varieties capable of withstanding the ever-changing climate.
They also toured the Molecular Laboratory, where they learned that the facility supports scientists county-wide who access its advanced equipment by paying bench fees. The delegation welcomed the Vice President of Nanjing Agricultural University, who visited Egerton concurrently, with Ambassador Guo taking the lead.
A highlight of the visit was the luncheon hosted by Prof. Kibwage at the University’s Agricultural Resource Centre Hotel, at which the University Management Board members expressed their joy at hosting the delegation and sampled the sumptuous fare together.
Earlier on during the courtesy visit in the Chancellors Chambers, the Director Marketing & Resource Mobilization, Prof. Nzula Kitaka, seized the opportunity to showcase the University’s latest publication – the recently released history book Thus Until: A History of Egerton University 1939‑2019 – while Prof. Kibwage narrated the University’s evolution since its inception in 1939.
The day’s events concluded at the University Botanical Garden, where the guests planted a medicinal tree as a symbolic “Tree of Friendship”. A cultural performance followed at the University’s Confucius Institute, where students performed song and dance in the Chinese language—an exchange warmly appreciated by both the Ambassador and the visiting Chinese academics.
In closing remarks, Prof. Kibwage thanked the Chinese Government for its sustained support for education, research and culture at Egerton University.
He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to nurturing global partnerships, producing graduates who are not only academically competent but also internationally minded and socially responsible.
Written by: By Kurian Musa, Communications Officer.