An increasing number of African scholars have pursued their botanical research with the backing of Chinese institutions in recent years.

Bancy Gichovi, a master's student at the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center in Wuhan, Hubei province, is among them.

Her interest in studying in China began in 2015 during her undergraduate years at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, the headquarters of the Sino-African research center in Africa, where she was attracted to the enduring relationship between China and Kenya.

In 2019, she took advantage of the opportunity by applying for a scholarship to delve deeper into plant molecular biology at the research center.

Last November, a study co-authored by Gichovi and six Chinese researchers was published in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. "I'm truly thankful for my supervisor and fellow students at the research center," Gichovi said. "Dealing with molecular aspects can be quite challenging, but whenever I seek their advice, they are always willing to help."

The Sino-Africa Joint Research Center serves as a melting pot of talent, with over 300 students from 14 African countries collaborating on botanical, animal science and microbiological research initiatives.

The academic program at the center involves master's students spending two semesters at the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, while PhD students complete a semester before advancing their research pursuits.