Zambia Academy of Science and Dziwa Science and Technology Trust (DSaT), have entered into an agreement on research, development, communication and advocacy.
The agreement would also look at capacity building, community engagement, policy advocacy, education and outreach.
DSaT Board Chairperson, Paul Zambezi, who signed on behalf of his organisation, noted that a lot of Science information is not being communicated by Scientists due to the restrictions under the current law of 1996.
He said it was high time people got to know what Scientists are up in terms of research on various issues like the recent disease out breaks such as Covid-19, Influenza, among others.
“As you are aware, DSaT was established to advocate for Science and Technology and in the case of Covid, we played a very important role of sensitizing the public on the issues of COVID-19 as well as training our Journalists on how best they can communicate issues that surrounded COVID-19,” said Dr. Zambezi.
Dr. Zambezi also announced that the South African National Research Fund, who were the DSaT financiers want to engage the organization in more sensitisation activities with regards to Science and Technology issues in the country.
He expressed hope that the organisation would work well with Zambia Academy of Science under the agreement like it did with the National Research Fund and move the Science and Technology agenda forward.
And Professor Cyprian Katongo, who signed on behalf of Zambia Academy of Science, in his capacity as acting President, expressed happiness with the signing of the agreement, stating that it is in line with the mandate of the academy.
By Eva Hatontola
