Zambia Academy of Sciences

The Zambia Academy of Sciences (ZaAS) is a non-profit organisation that provides perspectives on scientific matters and contributes to the nation's scientific education. It includes 42 members and fellows from various scientific disciplines, including academia, public and private sectors. The academy has a draft constitution and is subject to an Act of Parliament.

History
The Zambia Academy of Sciences was established at the National Science and Technology Council offices in 2005. An interim governing council was formed and a draft constitution was prepared. The academy was registered as a Society in the same year and joined the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) in 2006. From January 2016, the academy implemented policy documents for nominating and electing members and fellows.

Membership
As of 2021, ZaAS had 42 members and fellows from fields such as agricultural and animal sciences, biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, food science, medical sciences, mineral sciences, and veterinary science. The membership includes scientists from academia, public and private sectors. The academy conducted its first induction ceremony in September 2017. The academy is in the process of being legislated by an Act of Parliament and aims to provide opinions on scientific matters and contribute to the country's science education. Members of ZaAS include Prof. Kelly Chibale, Prof. Kavwanga Yambayamba, Prof. Imasiku Nyambe, Prof. Phillip Nkunika, and Prof. Stephen Simukanga.

Activities
The Zambia Academy of Sciences participates in activities such as publishing reports on scientific developments in Zambia and advocating for media coverage of the country's research. The academy organises events related to science and technology, including workshops, seminars, symposia, and conferences. It works with national, regional, and international scientific organisations and networks, including the Network of African Science Academies, the International Science Council, the African Academy of Sciences, and the World Academy of Sciences. The academy also takes part in projects and initiatives that focus on science and technology challenges and opportunities in Zambia and Africa, such as the Science Granting Councils Initiative, the African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators Initiative, the African Open Science Platform, and the Science Advice for Policy by European Academies.