UoN Signs Publishing Agreement with Chinese Company
The University of Nairobi has signed an agreement with China’s Hubei Changjiang Publishing and Media Group to undertake joint publishing activities in diverse areas.
Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Confucius Institute of the University of Nairobi on 26 September 2023, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, emphasised the importance of promoting publishing activities at the university. “Our core mandates of teaching, learning, and research thrive on the production and utilisation of quality published works in the form of textbooks, other instructional materials, and journal publications among others,” he said. The VC observed that the MoU would be crucial in helping to pursue certain important goals of the university, including the ongoing efforts to revive the University of Nairobi Press.
Changjiang Media publishes more than 10,000 kinds of books every year and has won more than 100 national awards such as the Chinese Government Award for Publishing, the Best Works Award issued by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, and the China Excellent Publications Award, making it the most awarded cultural enterprise in Hubei Province. The group includes eleven book and newspaper publishing companies, one digital publishing company, and six professional cultural companies. Its business includes books, newspapers, periodicals, audio and video, electronics, network, animation, and other media.
The MoU prepares the ground for collaboration in areas like publishing of academic books, journals, and research papers; publishing of special editions and series in selected academic disciplines and research areas; translation and localization of educational content for different audiences; and mobilization of resources for publishing among others. The Vice-Chancellor observed that the partnership also signified great societal impact. “This partnership will see our two institutions publish across languages, cultures, disciplines, and national boundaries and together, we shall make an important contribution to advancing our society beyond the world of academia,” he said. Prof. Kiama commended Prof. Wang, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute of the University of Nairobi, for her tireless effort in making the MoU signing possible.
The president of Changjiang Publishing & Media Group, Mr. Huang Guobin, described the partnership as “…the latest achievement made by both scholars and publishers from China and Kenya, and it also bears witness to the friendship between the two countries”. Mr. Guobin reiterated his company’s commitment to promoting cross-cultural communication and cooperation with African countries. In Kenya, the company has published the Kenya Geographic and Remote Sensing Atlas and Flora of Kenya under its subsidiary company, the Hubei Science and Technology Press. The Changjiang Publishing & Media also attends the annual Nairobi International Book Fair.
The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by the Director of Confucius Institute of the University of Nairobi, Prof. Wang Shangxue, Vice-president of the Hubei Science and Technology Press, and staff and students of the Confucius Institute. It was also attended by the Dean of Students and Director of Career Services, Mr. Johnson Kinyua; Director Library and Information Services, Mrs. Angela Mumo; and Director Corporate Affairs, Mr. John Orindi.
During the same event, the Confucius Institute of the University of Nairobi signed an agreement with Hubei Science and Technology Press to publish a three-part series of localized Chinese language textbooks under the title Practical Chinese in East Africa. The books, which will be used for teaching students at university level, have been adapted for the local learning conditions and culture. They are also suitable for self-directed learning of the Chinese language. The event also saw the launch of the English version of the award-winning book, Storming of Virus & Human, which was written by Dr. Liu Huan and published by Hubei Science and Technology Press. The UoN Library received 100 free copies of the book from the publisher.
