Qiu Yong, secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, visited Kenya from November 26 to 28 local time, implementing the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two nations. The visit focused on advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, deepening educational and scientific collaboration as well as cultural exchanges between Tsinghua University and Kenya, and contributing Tsinghua’s strength to building a China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era.
Tsinghua University and University of Nairobi sign a cooperation agreement
On November 28, Qiu Yong visited the University of Nairobi, where he met with Chancellor Patrick Verkooijen and Acting Vice Chancellor Margaret Jesang’ Hutchinson. The two sides held discussions and signed a cooperation agreement between the universities.
Qiu Yong noted that the University of Nairobi is an important partner of Tsinghua University and a founding member of the Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance initiated by Tsinghua. He expressed hopes that the two universities will continue to expand faculty and student exchanges, deepen cultural interaction, and broaden educational and research collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate change, public health, and hospital management, setting a model for China–Africa higher education cooperation.
Verkooijen and Hutchinson introduced the University of Nairobi’s history and distinctive strengths, expressing their hope to learn from Tsinghua’s successful development experience and to foster deeper collaboration that will generate more “chemical reactions” between the two institutions.
Qiu addresses the audience at the University of Nairobi
On the same day, Qiu Yong delivered a speech titled “Universities in the Age of Al: Reflections, Responsibilities and Actions” at the University of Nairobi auditorium. More than 300 representatives from various sectors, including faculty and students from China and Kenya, attended the event. Experts and scholars from both Tsinghua University and the University of Nairobi also engaged in discussions centered on the theme of the speech in panel discussion.
Qiu Yong emphasized that education is an undertaking built on inheritance, and universities possess enduring resilience. In the era of artificial intelligence, he noted, universities should actively advance AI-empowered teaching, innovation, and application of research outcomes, while also strengthening studies on governance and standards to help reduce disparities in AI competence. Accordingly, universities will better promote mutual learning among civilizations and safeguard humanity’s spiritual home.
He highlighted that Tsinghua University is among the earliest institutions in China to engage in AI education and research, and that the University has established a comprehensive layout in the AI field. Looking ahead, Qiu Yong stated that Tsinghua is ready to work hand in hand with Kenya and other African partners, upholding openness and cooperation, jointly addressing the challenges and opportunities of the AI era, and contributing more practical outcomes to support China–Africa efforts toward modernization.
Qiu and Mrema (left picture); Qiu and Rossbach exchange a Letter of Intent for cooperation (right picture)
On November 27, Qiu Yong held separate meetings with Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Their discussions focused on deepening collaboration between Tsinghua University and international organizations to advance Africa’s green and sustainable development. Qiu Yong and Rossbach also exchanged a Letter of Intent for cooperation between Tsinghua University and UN-Habitat.
Unveiling of the Tsinghua University Africa Center
On November 26, Qiu Yong visited the Karen Base, the East and Southern Africa Regional Headquarters of the Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA) for an inspection. Together with Chen Guanfu, Member of the Standing Committee of the POWERCHINA’s CPC Committee and Deputy General Manager of the Power Construction Corporation of China, he jointly unveiled the Tsinghua University Africa Center.
The Tsinghua University Africa Center, formerly the Tsinghua University China-Africa Leadership Development Institute, was established in 2018 with the support of UNESCO and is affiliated with the University’s Vanke School of Public Health. The newly established Tsinghua University Africa Center will be located at the Karen Base of POWERCHINA in Kenya.
As an important part of Tsinghua University’s global strategy, the Center is dedicated to serving as Tsinghua’s hub for engagement and exchanges in Africa. The Center will advance cooperation between Tsinghua and African countries in talent development, academic research, scientific and technological innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. It aims to provide strong support for building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era and for contributing to the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
During the visit, Qiu Yong held discussions with Guo Haiyan, Chinese ambassador to Kenya, on advancing high-quality China–Kenya educational cooperation, and visited representatives of Tsinghua alumni in Africa.
Relevant department and faculty heads from Tsinghua participated in the respective activities.
Editors: Li Han, John Paul Grima
