Tsinghua University, Rendeavour Launch Global South Communication Base at Tatu City
The School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, one of China’s leading institutions in media and communication studies, has partnered with Rendeavour, Africa’s largest new city builder, to establish a Research and Teaching Base for Global South Communication at Tatu City.
The new base is designed to deepen China-Africa cooperation through academic research, teaching programs, dialogue forums, case sharing, and on-the-ground field visits. Its inauguration was marked by a symposium led by Professor Yuezhi Zhao, Director of the Research and Teaching Base at Tsinghua University.
Professor Zhao emphasized that the partnership will enhance practical learning. “The School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University is committed to combining academic excellence with social responsibility.
This collaboration with Rendeavour offers students and scholars direct engagement with African contexts, enabling real-world learning and cross-cultural understanding,” she said.
Tatu City, a 5,000-acre Special Economic Zone outside Nairobi, has in recent years emerged as a hub for Chinese business and academic engagement. The city has welcomed more than 1,000 Chinese scholars, entrepreneurs, and companies exploring opportunities ranging from healthcare to industrial investment. Currently, seven Chinese enterprises operate within Tatu City, bringing in USD 400 million in investments and creating over 10,000 jobs across sectors such as textiles, renewable energy, healthcare, and construction.
Rendeavour’s Founder and CEO, Stephen Jennings, hailed the collaboration as a milestone in China-Africa relations. “We are honored to partner with Tsinghua University in creating opportunities for academic exchange and providing live case studies that connect Chinese scholars and entrepreneurs with Africa,” Jennings said.
The partnership will extend beyond Kenya to Rendeavour’s projects in Nigeria, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, broadening the platform for China-Africa engagement.
