The University of Nairobi, (UoN) has entered into a strategic partnership with Beihang University of China to establish the Beihang–University of Nairobi Joint Laboratory for BeiDou Engineering and Simulation Technology.
The collaboration was officially announced during the 2025 Beihang Global Partner Summit held at Beihang University’s Hangzhou International Campus.
The joint laboratory is set to enhance cooperation in satellite navigation, engineering simulation, and geospatial modeling, serving as a key hub for research, technology transfer, capacity building, and innovation between the two institutions.
Through this partnership, both universities aim to strengthen scientific collaboration, foster the exchange of expertise, and support the development of advanced technologies aligned with the BeiDou satellite navigation system.
The summit, themed “Building an Inclusive, Innovative, and Collaborative Sustainable Global Network of Partners,” brought together over 230 scholars and experts from more than 130 universities and research institutions across 50 countries.
Representing the University of Nairobi was Eng. Prof. Ayub Gitau, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, who joined university leaders and policymakers to discuss the future of global higher education and science cooperation.
The 2026 Work Plan for the BeiDou Engineering Simulation Technology Joint Laboratory was a strengthen partnership in satellite navigation research and training.
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Key partnership areas include UoN hosting an annual 2-week summer school for Beihang students.
On Scholarship, there will be 2 Master’s scholarships from Beihang for selected UoN students, UoN students will head to China (4-12 months) for research. The research collaboration aims for 2+ high-level papers on BeiDou and smart farming.
Workshop: Joint online and in-person BeiDou/GNSS sessions planned for 2026.
There will also be free GNSS simulation software provided by Beihang and Prof. WAN Xiaowei will conduct a 2-3-month exchange at UoN.
The summit also featured 18 thematic academic sessions focusing on areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Biomedicine, Data Science, Economics and Management, and the Humanities and Social Sciences.
The sessions created a platform for open dialogue on how global universities can work together to address challenges in sustainability, smart cities, and technology-driven development.
The joint laboratory initiative positions the University of Nairobi as a leading force in applied engineering and technology research in Africa.
By Obegi Malack
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