Chinese publisher donates books to boost Mandarin learning at Kenyatta University

Kenyatta University has partnered with a major Chinese publisher to expand learning of Mandarin and academic exchanges with an initial donation of about 300 books to the university's Confucius Institute.

The collaboration with China Education Publishing and Media Group is expected to strengthen Chinese-language education at the university. As one of Kenya's largest public universities, the institution offers a range of programs from skill training and certificate courses to diploma programs and a newly introduced bachelor's degree program.

The books cover Chinese language, humanities, culture, science and technological innovation and were selected to match the university's academic curriculum and students' learning needs.

Lucy Maina, an associate professor of sociology at the university, who delivered Vice-Chancellor John Okumu's remarks at the event, said the initiative goes beyond donating books and marks the beginning of deeper academic cooperation.

"This agreement goes far beyond a simple delivery of books. It marks the beginning of an ongoing and dynamic academic partnership," she said.

Maina said the partnership would help open "a new chapter of shared learnings and mutual advancement" between the two sides.

Song Yidong, vice-general manager of China Education Publishing and Media Group Ltd, noted that the initiative would strengthen educational and cultural exchanges between China and Kenya, particularly through Chinese-language teaching.

"We focus on the cultural exchange, especially in the education field," Song said, adding that the group would support efforts to establish a stronger framework for Chinese-language teaching and learning at the university.

Song encouraged Kenyan students to explore opportunities to visit China and deepen their understanding of the country and its culture.

Wang Weiquan, editor-in-chief of Higher Education Press, said the initiative would provide more structured educational materials and enrich academic reference resources available to students and faculty.

He said Higher Education Press has developed educational resources used in about 70 countries and regions and is increasingly combining Chinese-language education with technical and vocational training.

"Future cooperation with Kenyatta University could extend beyond learning materials to teacher training, vocational education and the development of teaching systems, creating more opportunities for young people," he said.

Leonard Chacha, local director of the Kenyatta University Confucius Institute, said the books would strengthen the institute's curriculum while providing additional resources for students and faculty.

"By donating these books to us, you are planting seeds of knowledge that will grow into deep lifelong cross-cultural understanding," he said.

Chacha said the donation would help build long-term cross-cultural understanding and strengthen the Confucius Institute's role as a bridge for learning and cooperation between Kenya and China.