University of Zambia (UNZA) — Zambia
Introducing University of Zambia (UNZA)
The University of Zambia (UNZA) plays a strategic role in advancing space science and technology in support of Zambia’s national development priorities, as articulated in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and the country’s Vision 2030. The 8NDP emphasizes economic transformation, job creation, and environmental sustainability, recognizing space science and satellite-based technologies as critical enablers for precision agriculture, climate resilience, disaster risk management, infrastructure planning, and sustainable resource monitoring. For a country highly dependent on agriculture and mining and increasingly exposed to climate change, the integration of space-derived data is essential for long-term economic and environmental sustainability.
Zambia has made notable investments in space science infrastructure, including the establishment of a Ground Receiving Station (GRS) in Chibombo, which enhances national remote sensing capabilities and has the potential to be upgraded into a fully functional ground station. In parallel, the Government of Zambia is advancing a national space science agenda through policy development under the National Science and Technology Policy and the establishment of a multi-stakeholder working group on space science and technology. This working group brings together key institutions, including the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ZAMTEL, the national meteorological and broadcasting services, the Copperbelt University (PAP2SN Coordinator), the University of Zambia (PAP2SN Partner), Kwame Nkrumah University, and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC).
Zambia is also an active participant in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, a major global initiative to build the world’s largest radio telescope. The country will host three antennas at the Kasempa Radio Astronomy Observatory (KASERAO), positioning Zambia as a regional hub for astronomy and radio science. Human capital development initiatives linked to the SKA project provide foundational astronomy training to early-career graduates across partner countries. However, the effective utilization of national facilities such as the GRS and SKA infrastructure remains constrained by limited specialized expertise and research capacity.
In response to this national imperative, UNZA has developed a Master of Science in Space Sciences and Applications, established under the EU-funded FAST4Future project and scheduled to commence in 2025. This program represents a major milestone in Zambia’s higher education landscape, addressing long-standing gaps in dedicated space science curricula. The program will benefit from scholarships and mobility opportunities provided through PAP2SN, and is designed to build local capacity in space technology, remote sensing, and data science, directly aligned with the aspirations of the 8NDP.
Through PAP2SN, UNZA seeks to strengthen professional capacity in teaching, mentorship, and research through academic mobility and international partnerships. These collaborations are essential to ensuring high-quality program delivery and positioning UNZA as a leading institution for space science education and research at both national and regional levels. By advancing space science and technology, UNZA contributes to Zambia’s transition toward a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy and supports the country’s commitments to continental and global development frameworks, including Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).