Prof. CHENG Shengkui , the Deputy Director of Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), led a delegation to the University of Nairobi (UON) in Kenya on 3 April . The delegation was received by Prof. Isaac Mbeche, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UON, and signed a MoU with UON for cooperation.

During his visit, Prof. CHENG briefed UON on the history of IGSNRR and progress made, and introduced its newly developed ‘World Resources Research Department’ and the ‘International Ecosystem Management Partnership’ with UNEP, which could be important platforms for Sino-Africa co-operation. UON introduced their research strengths and welcomed cooperation opportunities with IGSNRR.

Prof. CHENG Shengkui and Prof. Isaac Mbeche as representatives from both sides sign MoU

IGSNRR signed this MoU with UON based on the common understanding of the importance of African studies and China-Africa academic cooperation with regard to the sustainable use of natural resources, maintenance of healthy ecosystems, and regional sustainable development, based on sound science and technology.

In the MoU, major collaborative activities for both parties were identified. This includes postgraduate student and faculty exchange, joint application for funding, participation in joint academic seminars. Both parties also agreed on preliminary collaborative areas, which include urbanization, regional development and environmental governance; adaptation and risk management of climate change, ecosystem monitoring, assessment and management, sustainable use of natural resources, food security and sustainable livelihoods, and other areas that contribute to the development of academic and educational exchanges between the parties.

The delegation was also met by Professor Lucy W. Irungu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Enos Njeru, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences Department, Professor Samuel Owuor, Dean of Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Senior Professor Richard Odingo, and foreign affairs officers from UON.

Before this visit, Prof. LIU Yi, the Director of IGSNRR, visited UON on 23 February, which paved the way for this cooperation.