Off the wire
• Experts urge better governance to help Africa weather global oil price slump  • 69 workers evacuated from Azerbaijan's Guneshli oil field due to sudden fire  • Spanish stock market falls 1.27 pct  • Spain's vehicles production rises by 9.9 pct in first eight months  • Referendum on Constitutional changes ends in Azerbaijan  • Roundup: World wildlife conference tackles online wildlife crime  • Urgent: UN General Assembly concludes annual high-level debate  • S. African stocks close lower Monday  • Conflicting sides in E. Ukraine accuse each of ignoring ceasefire  • Feature: Vanishing traditional Egyptian pottery industry reflects hardship of potters' life  
You are here: 　 Home

China-funded biotech research facility completed in Kenya

Xinhua, September 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

A state-of-the-art facility funded by the Chinese government to promote collaborative research with African countries in the field of agriculture and biodiversity conservation was officially handed over to a Kenyan university on Monday.

A hand-over ceremony was held on Monday on the campus of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) where the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center is situated.

The Sino-Africa Joint Research Center focuses on biodiversity protection, resources remote sensing, microbiology and the promotion of modern agricultural practices.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chancellor of JKUAT Mabel Imbuga hailed the scientific and technical cooperation between China and Kenya, which had promoted agricultural development and conservation of vital ecosystems in Kenya.

"The Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre will be a hub for training and knowledge transfer on biodiversity conservation. It will also focus on critical areas like agricultural science, molecular biology, remote sensing and natural products development," Imbuga said.

She said the modern research facility will enhance African countries' capacity to tackle pressing challenges like hunger, water scarcity and habitat loss, and that the transfer of technology and skills will flourish.

The Chinese government provided funding for the establishment of the research center that comprises state-of-the-art laboratories, herbarium, green houses, administration offices, and conference and accommodation facilities. A Chinese firm carried out the construction work.

The research center includes buildings of 4,300 square meters, and a 36-acre botanical garden. The Chinese Academy of Sciences supports its management and has donated equipment worth more than 2.2 million U.S. dollars for the facility.

Liu Xianfa, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, said the establishment of the research center marked a significant milestone in Sino-Africa cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovations.

"The aim of this project is to pursue development and environmental protection in a holistic way and build a green Africa that enjoys sustainable development," Liu said at the ceremony.

He added that the joint research centre will provide a platform for a robust and mutually beneficial collaboration between Chinese and African scientists. Endit