NAIROBI – China and Africa have enhanced their scientific collaboration with the launch of China- Africa Joint Research Centre at a Kenyan University.
The China-Africa Joint Research Centre funded by the Chinese government is aimed at invigorating scientific and technological progress in the continent.
Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) will host the China-Africa Joint Research centre and its affiliated 40-acre botanical garden.
Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto, in his remarks during the inauguration of the project, hailed the China-Africa cooperation in science, technology and innovations to accelerate the continent’s socioeconomic transformation.
“Science and technology has been the bedrock of great civilisations and has a critical role in shaping our future,” Ruto said.
The deputy president noted that Kenya would be a hub for research and innovations with China’s support.
The Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, Tian Lin, said the centre was meant to conduct researches that would be mutually beneficial to both Africa and China.
According to Tian, the research centre aims at “conducting mutually beneficial cooperation” with relevant African countries in various areas such as biodiversity conservation, ecological environment, desertification combating among others.
Deputy Director -General, Bureau of International Cooperation of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Qiu Huasheng, said China would extend technical and financial support to propel sustainable development in Africa.
“The establishment of a joint research centre marks an important milestone in China-Africa cooperation.
“It will help address bottlenecks to sustainable development in Africa,” Qiu said.
According to him, 24 young Africans are currently studying in China, supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences scholarship.
He added that “a series of joint scientific investigations were organised in biodiversity and lake ecology conservation” between the two countries.
Besides the joint research centre, China has financed the establishment of a Botanical garden in Kenya to strengthen collaborative research in biodiversity conservation, water management, desert control and modern farming. (Xinhua/NAN)
China-Africa Joint Research Centre launched in Kenya
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