Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is exploring a partnership with Suzhou University of Science and Technology (SUSF) towards the establishment of a China–Kenya Joint Laboratory focused on water, wastewater, and plastic waste control and resource utilization.
The collaboration was discussed during a meeting with a high-level delegation from Suzhou University of Science and Technology (SUSF), led by the university’s Vice President, Prof. Li Yong. He was accompanied by Dr. Li Dapeng, Dean of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering; Dr. Jiang Jing, Assistant Dean of the same school; and Mr. Xu Li from the university’s International Linkages Office.
The delegation was received by Dr. Paul Njogu, Director of the Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology, on behalf of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Robert Kinyua. Also present were Prof. Gituru, Director of SAJOREC; Prof. A. Gachanja; Dr. Ngumba, Chair of the Department of Chemistry; Dr. Benson. Karanja; Dr. M. Gichuhi; Ms. Purity Muthoni; and Ms. Jackline Mwango.
Dr. Njogu assured the Chinese team of the university management’s full support and welcomed them to JKUAT on behalf of the Vice Chancellor. He noted that the management remains committed to fostering international collaborations, citing the SAJOREC project as a successful model of partnership between the Chinese Academy of Sciences and JKUAT.
He emphasized that the proposed laboratory represents a strategic collaboration aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges through shared expertise, research, and innovation.
According to Dr. Njogu, the initiative will enhance JKUAT’s research capacity in applied environmental science and engineering while promoting sustainable solutions to water and waste management issues in Kenya and beyond.
Dr. Njogu thanked both the JKUAT team and the Chinese delegation for the fruitful deliberations and pledged to brief the university management on the outcomes and next steps.
Prof. Li Yong noted that the commitment to the partnership is rooted in SUSF’s strong academic and research foundation.
“We take great pride in our doctoral programs in Environmental Science and Engineering as well as Civil Engineering both of which reflect our deep, research-oriented capabilities directly aligned with the goals of the proposed China–Kenya joint laboratory,” said Prof. Li Yong.
He added that SUSF’s relevant disciplines are ranked among the top one percent globally, underscoring the institution’s international competitiveness and readiness to contribute to cutting-edge solutions in water, wastewater, and plastic waste control and resource recovery.
Highlighting SUSF’s practical focus, Prof. Li noted that the university was established with the support of China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, which connects its research directly to national urban and environmental policy and ensures that innovations have real-world impact.
The Vice President pledged his full support to the idea and promised to offer scholarships to JKUAT Postgraduate students.
The proposed joint laboratory is expected to serve as a hub for applied research, technology transfer, and capacity building between Kenya and China, advancing sustainable solutions to environmental challenges while providing a platform for joint postgraduate training and innovation.
Prof. Gituru gave a brief on the collaboration between the China and Kenya governments through the SAJOREC project. He welcomed the delegation and assured them of management support, noting that SAJOREC stands as a clear testament to the success of research partnerships between the two countries. He also invited the delegation to visit the center.
The team later toured SAJOREC, and the SUST representatives expressed their delight at the impressive facilities and achievements. The Vice President commended the progress made under the project and expressed satisfaction with its success.
Prof. Gachanja welcomed the collaboration, noting that the establishment of the joint laboratory would complement existing infrastructure and reaffirmed JKUAT’s commitment to the partnership.
Dr. Ngumba observed that the collaboration would further support staff and student research as well as short-term study programs.
The two teams agreed to start working on a memorandum of Understanding that will spell out the terms of the collaboration.
