The 2025 Zambia Research and Education Network (ZAMREN) Week and Annual General Meeting was officially opened on 3rd September 2025 at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone, with a strong call to action under the theme: “Building a Culture of Research and Innovation for National Development.”
Gracing the ceremony, Minister of Tourism, Mr. Rodney Sikumba, commended ZAMREN for advancing local innovation through impactful digital solutions such as the College Student Information System (COSIS).
“COSIS is not just functional, it is homegrown. Built by Zambians, for Zambians. It shows how local innovation can solve contextual challenges,” he said.
ZAMREN Board Chairperson, Prof. Mundia Muya, reaffirmed the organisation’s steady growth, highlighting that over 160 learning and research institutions are now connected to the ZAMREN network. This milestone, he said, is strengthening access to knowledge and enabling more institutions to collaborate, share resources, and innovate.
Adding to the significance of the day, ZAMREN unveiled its inaugural newsletter, a new platform that will document all ZAMREN activities. This biannual newsletter aims to keep stakeholders informed and engaged in the organisation’s evolving role as a driver of digital transformation in the research and education communities.
Welcoming delegates from across Africa, the USA, and the Middle East, ZAMREN Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stein Mkandawire, underscored the importance of collaboration in sustaining growth and innovation:
“ZAMREN Week continues to grow because our community has embraced it wholeheartedly. Every partnership we build must deliver value.”
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Jeff Hansen, Chief Technology Officer at Alta Labs, emphasized the transformative role of connectivity and research networks in fostering sustainable innovation worldwide.
This year’s ZAMREN Week attracted over 400 participants, including representatives from member institutions, researchers, policymakers, cooperating partners, and international guests. The strong turnout reflects the growing recognition of ZAMREN Week as a flagship event for advancing collaboration.
