Why Kenyans are looking to China for higher education

 

Li Siyi (C), a Chinese teacher at the Confucius Institute of Kenyatta University, gives a Chinese class to faculty and staff of Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, Oct. 1, 2026. [AFP]

At a time when thousands of Kenyan students who qualify for university admission do not apply for placement, many are confronting difficult choices about higher education. Speaking to Mike Kihaki, Universal Future Frontiers CEO Nyakio Gichuki dives into affordability, quality, global exposure and the responsibility of preparing a generation of Kenyan students for a changing world.

What is the bigger mission behind Universal Future Frontiers?

UFF was founded around the China Immersion Program and the China University Placement Program initiatives with a central philosophy that exposure can change what young people believe is possible. Kenya and Africa have enormous talent, but talent needs exposure, opportunity, mentorship and access. Our goal is not to send many students to China simply to increase numbers, but the real measure of success is what happens afterwards.

Why are you encouraging Kenyan students to look towards China when there are universities here at home?

Kenya has universities producing excellent graduates, I included, but young people also need exposure to what is happening globally. They need to see technology, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics, smart cities and new business models firsthand. China offers Kenyan students an affordable destination, exposure to technology, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, international business and a different educational environment.

What kind of education and exposure does a young person need to succeed in the world they are entering?

When I first went to China, I knew China was technologically advanced, but I did not fully understand the scale of that advancement until I saw it myself. We visited a car factory and places working with advanced robotics. It completely changed my perspective.

That is what we want young people to experience. Sometimes you cannot aspire to something you have never seen.

But isn’t cost one of the biggest reasons students consider China?

With the high cost of living, cost matters enormously to Kenyan families. Students and parents are comparing tuition fees, accommodation, food, transport and scholarships. China has developed a substantial scholarship ecosystem, including Chinese Government Scholarships, university scholarships and provincial opportunities. But I would caution students against choosing a university simply because it is cheap; the value for the money spent in gaining an education should be the worry. You could spend less on tuition but graduate without the networks, practical skills or international exposure that could make a difference in your career.

Compared to the kind of education in the country, does China necessarily provide a better education than Kenya?

China has world-class universities and also institutions that students must evaluate carefully, just as they would anywhere else. China has made major investments in universities, laboratories, engineering, technology and research. Several Chinese universities now appear prominently in global ranking. But ranking alone should not determine a student’s choice. Students need to examine accreditation, curriculum, faculty, facilities, graduate outcomes, language of instruction, fees and the recognition of the qualification in the country where they intend to work.

How different is China’s curriculum compared to our new Competency-Based Education and Training?

One interesting difference is the emphasis on preparation and participation in some programmes.

Students may be expected to read several chapters before class, with classroom time devoted to discussion, case studies, presentations or problem-solving. That encourages students to take responsibility for their learning.

Of course, the experience varies between universities and programmes, so we shouldn’t generalise about every Chinese classroom.

But the broader lesson is that university should not be a place where a student waits for a lecturer to provide every answer. This approach is taking shape in Kenya while China has mastered it. The world we are preparing young people for requires initiative, research, collaboration and problem-solving.

How is China preparing its students for the labour market? How is exposure with industries done?

Exposure means allowing young people to encounter possibilities beyond what they see every day. A student studying engineering visits an advanced manufacturing plant in China, another sees robotics being deployed in industry and another encounters an entrepreneur building a global business.

Isn’t there a danger that students go abroad, acquire skills and then never return?

International education should not become a one-way pipeline through which Africa exports its brightest young people. We want young people to learn from the world and then ask how that knowledge can be applied at home. If someone studies advanced manufacturing in China and returns to Kenya to establish a manufacturing company, that is an impact. Learning about agricultural technology and developing a solution for Kenyan farmers- that is impact. If someone builds a business connecting Kenyan and Chinese markets, that is an impact.

China is also a major commercial and manufacturing power. How important is that exposure to students?

If you are interested in import and export, manufacturing, logistics, international trade, technology or entrepreneurship, being physically present in China gives you a different understanding of how those systems work. You are not just reading about manufacturing in a textbook. You are seeing supply chains, factories, logistics systems and businesses operating at scale.

Song Menglu (C), a Chinese teacher at the Confucius Institute of Kenyatta University, gives a calligraphy class to local students in Nairobi, Kenya, Oct. 1, 2026. [AFP]

China also allows students to meet people from different parts of the world. A Kenyan student might be sharing a classroom with someone from Pakistan, South Korea, Africa, Europe or the Middle East. You begin to understand that your worldview is not the only worldview.

What about language? Many parents worry that their children will struggle because they don’t speak Mandarin.

There are many English-taught programmes, depending on the university and field. Students can also learn Mandarin while studying. And I actually see language as an advantage rather than simply a barrier. Imagine graduating with your professional qualification and also having Mandarin language skills. You have added another tool to your career. For someone interested in international business between Africa and China, that can be particularly valuable.

Are students being given unrealistic expectations that everyone can get a fully funded place?

Scholarships are competitive and have eligibility requirements. Academic performance, recommendations, personal statements, and, depending on the programme, research experience can all matter. Students should apply strategically and understand what each scholarship actually covers. The Chinese Government Scholarship is one option, but universities and provincial governments also have scholarship programmes. UFF’s responsibility is to help students understand the process rather than sell them a dream.

What responsibility do students themselves have?

You cannot outsource your future. We can provide information, guidance, exposure and connections, but the student must do the work. That means researching universities, preparing documents, meeting deadlines, maintaining academic standards and adapting to a new environment. Studying abroad also requires maturity. You are responsible for your finances, your academic performance, your behaviour and your personal safety; it is an opportunity and opportunities come with responsibility.

Young people delay applying because they are afraid of making the wrong decision; advise them?

If you are considering studying abroad, research the course, university, costs, scholarship requirements and career possibilities. Speak to people who have done it. And understand that your first decision does not necessarily define your entire life. What matters is developing the ability to learn, adapt and make informed decisions.

What would you tell students eligible for university but have not applied for placement?

Don’t allow uncertainty to make the decision for you, explore your options and China is the way to go. China is an opportunity to see a different model of development, learn from it, build international networks and return with a wider understanding of what is possible. University is not simply about getting a certificate but about preparing yourself for responsibility in a changing world. It will require innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers, scientists, manufacturers and globally minded citizens.