Egerton University and China’s Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) are expanding their historic academic alliance by entering a joint research initiative focused on the Dairy Technology sector. The decision follows a high-profile courtesy call paid by a Chinese academic delegation to Egerton University on July 20, 2026.
The visiting delegation, led by Prof. Li Yuan and Prof. Pan Leiqing, met with senior management at the main campus in Njoro. Representing Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Research, and Extension, Prof. Bernard Aduda, formally welcomed the visiting scholars.
During the meeting, Prof. Aduda praised the long-standing institutional bond between Egerton and Nanjing Agricultural University, characterising the decades-long partnership as “one of a kind”.
He reaffirmed Egerton’s strategic openness to expanding collaborations, global knowledge exchange, and pioneering research frameworks.
Kenya’s dairy technology sector
This newly unveiled research direction in dairy systems is being spearheaded by Prof. Mary Omwamba, an expert who chairs Egerton’s Department of Dairy and Food Science and Technology.
Facilitating the institutional logistics, the Confucius Institute at Egerton University, under the leadership of Prof. Arnold Opiyo, has successfully drafted the official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to map out the new areas of collaboration.
With the cross-border legal framework fully prepared, both technical groups are set to execute immediate field and laboratory operations. The initiative aims to enhance sustainable milk processing technologies, build technical capacity for agricultural students, and elevate community extension capabilities across East Africa.
Prof. Omwamba noted that the China-Kenya Joint Laboratory for Crop Molecular Biology, located at Egerton University, is a facility that they often rely on.
This state-of-the-art laboratory was built in cooperation with Nanjing Agricultural University. It is a leading hub in East Africa for advanced agricultural research, molecular testing, and crop disease analysis.
