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The University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Convergence Research Centre for Insect Vectors (CRCIV) of South Korea have signed an agreement to promote research and development in the fight against malaria using artificial intelligence (AI) in Zambia.
The collaboration aims to establish a Research Center of Excellence at UNZA’s School of Engineering, focusing on preventing malaria outbreaks through AI technology.
SMART Zambia National Coordinator, Percy Chinyama, praised the partnership, highlighting the potential of collaboration in driving innovation and solving real-world problems with AI.
“The center will be the first formal model to institutionalise AI, and it could serve as a platform for learning, even at the University of Zambia,” Chinyama said.
Chinyama further commended UNZA for spearheading the integration of AI in Zambia and expressed hope that AI would soon be part of the curriculum, aligning with global trends.
He also acknowledged Zambia’s Ambassador to South Korea, Andrew Banda, for facilitating CRCIV’s involvement in combating malaria in Zambia, noting that the disease remained the leading cause of death in the country.
UNZA Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Bornface Namangala, noted that the agreement marked the launch of a transformative partnership aimed at tackling major health challenges like malaria.
“Malaria is a serious disease that has claimed the lives of pregnant women and children in Zambia and worldwide,” Namangala said.
He added that the initiative would employ advanced technology to identify insects and combat the disease.
Professor Hyung Wook Kwon, Chief Executive Officer of CRCIV, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, bringing his extensive experience in research to help control mosquitoes and eradicate diseases such as malaria and dengue fever through technology.
Zambia’s Ambassador to South Korea, Andrew Banda, described the agreement as a significant step toward a shared commitment to scientific research and saving lives.
Dr Sampa Chitambala-Otiono, Director of the National Malaria Elimination Centre, explained that the agreement aimed to explore new frontiers in research to find innovative ways to control insect-borne diseases using AI.
Permanent Secretary of Education, Joe Kamoko, noted the broader impact of the center, which he said promised a brighter future for public health in Zambia.
“The digital space is the way forward for addressing disease, education, or any other societal challenge,” Kamoko said.
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