A bold step toward revolutionizing energy training was taken on Tuesday, 20th May 2025, when Shanghai University of Electric Power (SUEP) pledged to support the creation of a Smart Micro-Grid at the Faculty of Engineering. The state-of-the-art facility, to be housed at the Faculty of Engineering, will offer students real-time, hands-on experience in modern power systems.

During the visit, SUEP’s Vice President, Prof. Fu Yang, led the Chinese delegation on a tour of the faculty’s labs, where they were welcomed by Dean Prof. Mumenya and Dr. Abraham Nyete, Chair of the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering.

The move signals a strengthened partnership focused on academic exchange and joint research between the two institutions. The SUEP team visited The University of Nairobi accompanied by Dylan Yu, CEO of Yocean Group, a Chinese manufacturer of smart transformers and meters. Yocean Group plans to form a tripartite partnership with both universities to boost industry-academia collaboration.

“This partnership opens a new chapter for both our institutions,” said Prof. Yang. He outlined plans including micro-grid development at UoN, joint research on new energy, shared scientific publications, and staff participation in international energy workshops. Discussions are also underway for a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding to involve industry partners.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Margret J. Hutchinson praised the partnership, noting the growing ties between Kenya and China. She called on universities to lead in deepening these international relations and emphasized the partnership’s potential to drive energy innovation and academic excellence in both countries.

Faculty of Engineering Dean, Prof. Mumenya, welcomed the Shanghai delegation, expressing confidence in the faculty’s ability to develop micro-grid projects and appreciation for the technical support from SUEP.

The visiting Chinese team included Professors Xu Xinyan, Xu Qun-jie, Tan Kehui, and Shurong Wei. UoN representatives included Dr. Omondi, Dr. Njoroge Mwaura, Dr. Nyete, and Mr. John O. Orindi.