National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)

By Nsama Mataka and Lenganji Sikapizye Musenge Silwawa(Centre) holds the applicator during on the field trials –  Photo credit: Sarah Fretwell Photographs To build tomorrow’s prosperous future anchored on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), youths will undoubtedly play a key role. In today’s society, many youths are positioning themselves and actively participating in economic activities that are shaping society positively. One such sector that has provided immense opportunities for the youths to flourish is the science, technology and innovation(STI) sector. The most successful tech – companies including those in the Silicon Valley are now owned by young people. African youths have also realised the need to take up opportunities in this sector. At many continental Fora, Governments have been urged to prioritize youth’s participation in STI. In Zambia, the Government through the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) have put up interventio...

By Nsama Mataka and Lenganji Sikapizye NSTC members of staff during the Technical Assistance Visit by SARIMA and NRF of South Africa The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has embarked on an ambitious programme of developing an Online Grants Management System. This has come in the wake of the Council’s realization that for research grants to be managed efficiently and effectively there is need to develop an Online Grants Management System. It is against this background that the Southern Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) and the NRF of South Africa recently undertook a Technical Assistance Visit(TAV) to NSTC. The three day TAV covered key areas including; mapping of the Online Grants Management System, identification of the online grant management needs specific to NSTC, costing and resource mobilization. In addition, an update on feedback from the South Africa – Mozambique – Zambia Joint Call for Research Proposals was...

    By Nsama Mataka and Lenganji Sikapizye Every April 26 th , the World Celebrates the Intellectual Property (IP) to learn about the role that Intellectual property rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity. This day is spearheaded by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).  Furthermore, through the Southern Africa Research and Innovation Management (SARIMA) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation(WIPO), NSTC members of staff are undertaking IP courses in order to capacitate them in this area. Recently, NSTC took part in the World Intellectual Property Day celebrations which were hosted by the Patents Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA).  NSTC took advantage of this opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of Intellectual property in the science sector. The Council also showcased a project by a University of Zambia Researcher Dr Onesmus Munyati entitled enhancement of Photo - Co...

By Nsama Mataka and Lenganji Sikapizye              Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), is a term often used to address curriculum choices in schools which are critical to improve competitiveness in science, technology and innovation. STEM subjects are also critical in transforming economies of countries from resource based to knowledge based ones. However, It has been recognised that STEM is one area that requires immediate attention because of a number of compounding reasons. Many scholars have stated that if education authorities in the country do not invest in building capacity in STEM, progress towards attaining sustainable development will remain a challenge. According to the 2016 report by a parliamentary committee on Education, Science and Technology the committee was informed that the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) was a challenge in Zambia because o...