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.

Lusaka, 21 July 2025– ZAMREN Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stein Mkandawire, led a team from the Zambia Research and Education Network on a courtesy call to Dr. Kelvin Mambwe, Permanent Secretary – Technical Services at the Ministry of Education. The engagement served as a strategic update on ZAMREN’s latest innovations aimed at accelerating digital transformation in Zambia’s education and research ecosystem. Key Highlights from the Engagement During the meeting, Mr. Mkandawire briefed Dr. Mambwe on several high-impact initiatives ZAMREN is currently rolling out in partnership with institutions and global technology leaders: ✅ COSIS (College Students Information System):ZAMREN’s home-grown student information system is transforming how institutions manage student data, from registration to performance tracking across multiple campuses. COSIS is designed to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and improve accountability. ✅ AI in Education – Powered by AWS:ZAMREN is working in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to pilot Artificial Intelligence in Education at the University of Zambia (UNZA), Copperbelt University (CBU), and Zambia University College of Technology (ZUT). This proof of concept is aimed at personalizing learning, automating content delivery, and enabling data-driven teaching and administration. ✅ Affordable Internet Access for Students:To address the digital divide in student accommodation, ZAMREN has commenced the rollout of internet access in hostels under a 50-50 cost-sharing model with institutions. This initiative will ensure that students have reliable connectivity right where they live and study. ✅ eduroam Expansion – Beyond Campuses:ZAMREN has extended eduroam, its global Wi-Fi access service, to Kitwe City Square and the Kitwe City Library, offering off-campus connectivity to students and researchers. Plans are underway to launch eduroam at Mosi-oa-Tunya Square and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, expanding secure academic roaming even further. Government Applauds ZAMREN’s Digital Drive In his response, Dr. Mambwe commended ZAMREN for its commitment to advancing Zambia’s education sector through technology. He noted the alignment between ZAMREN’s projects and the Ministry’s digital agenda and reaffirmed the government’s support in scaling these transformative solutions. “What ZAMREN is doing speaks to the future of education. Digital tools like COSIS and eduroam are game changers, and we are committed to supporting their rollout across institutions,” said Dr. Mambwe.