The Vice-Chancellor of Kabarak University, Prof. Henry K. Kiplangat, Ph.D, MBS, OGW, today received a high-level delegation from the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs during a meeting held at the University Boardroom. He was joined by members of the University Management Board in welcoming the distinguished guests.

In his remarks, Prof. Kiplangat described the visit as a significant moment in strengthening the growing relationship between Kabarak University and Jiangsu institutions. He highlighted the strong collaboration already in place with Nanjing Agricultural University, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2024. Among the milestones achieved are the Chinese Language Teaching Program, which has trained 94 students to HSK3 level, and student participation in cultural exchanges, competitions, and study programs in China.

The delegation, led by Mr. Zhu Xinhua (Deputy Director, Jiangsu Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), included senior representatives from Jiangsu’s agricultural, scientific, and research institutions. Together with Kabarak University leadership, they explored new areas of strategic collaboration, including:

1. Agricultural cooperation in crop production, product quality testing, processing, and plant protection technologies.
2. Capacity development, through agricultural training, long-term postgraduate scholarships, staff exchanges, and visiting scholar programs.
3. Research and learning facilities, such as biotechnology laboratories, modern greenhouses, and agricultural technology demonstration centres.
4. Exchange programs between Kabarak University and Jiangsu universities and colleges to strengthen student and faculty mobility.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Kabarak University and the Jiangsu delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formally anchor these partnerships. The MoU will facilitate cooperation in crop production, agricultural training, and exchange programs, paving the way for transformative collaboration.

The discussions acknowledged that while both Kenya and Jiangsu face major agricultural challenges, opportunities lie in adopting smart agricultural management and strategic ecosystem management. Prof. Kiplangat noted that Kabarak’s innovation initiatives, including the Mkulima Hub project, align well with Jiangsu’s advanced expertise, positioning both institutions to jointly develop solutions that enhance productivity and sustainability.

This visit and the MoU mark the beginning of a deeper cooperation that will promote knowledge exchange, capacity building, and sustainable agricultural growth, further strengthening ties between Kenya and China.