Democratic Republic of Congo
Zambia: The Real Star of Africa
Welcome to Lesotho: SAROAD’s Regional Secretariat Hub
Host Institution
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) signed an agreement with the Copperbelt University (CBU) on 8th August 2014 for the latter to host the Southern African regional node of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD). The agreement was renewed on 5th October 2021 for five (5) years. This was the second regional node to be established on the African continent and forms part of the IAU’s decadal strategic plan, aiming to realise astronomy’s global societal benefits. The signing followed the approval of a proposal from the Copperbelt University which enjoyed the support of astronomy collaborators in Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa, including the South
African Square Kilometre Array Project Office. The renewal of the agreement came after an internal and external review of the office and a recommendation by the IAU panel. Under this agreement, a co-hosting agreement has been signed between the Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia. This will run for the duration of the IAU-CBU agreement.
Our country coordinator
Herman Randriamanantena
Fred Joe Nambala is a Lecturer and Researcher in Physics at the University of Zambia’s School of Natural Sciences, a position he has held since 2010. His instructional portfolio includes courses in analogue and digital electronics. He is currently completing his PhD in Physics at the University of Pretoria, where his research focuses on the development, fabrication, and device physics of inversion layer solar cells.
Dr. Nambala’s academic background includes a Master’s in Physics from the University of KwaZulu Natal, a Master’s in Space Management from the International Space University in France, and a BSc Honours in Astrophysics and Space Science from the University of Cape Town. He is actively involved in the aerospace community, serving as the patron for the ZUSSART student club at UNZA and as a member of Zambia’s national space science programme. He has be the SAROAD Country Coordinator since its inception.
Major Activities In Zambia
Get to know our facilities and activities
Zambia is privileged to be Host of The Regional Office for SAROAD, Tart Telescope at The Copperbelt University, and a Ground receiving Station in Chibombo District.
Hosting SAROAD Regional Offices
Ground Receiving Station In Chibombo
Installation Of TART Telescope
Outreach Programs
ACTIVITIES
what We Do
outreach Programs
Empowering the next generation of explorers. Discover how SAROAD's astronomy outreach inspires students and advances scientific literacy for society.
astro-Tourism
Southern Africa’s celestial magic: stargazing safaris, desert astronomy & galactic vistas. Your cosmic adventure starts here!
Astronomy For Mental Health
How stargazing reduces stress & anxiety—discover astronomy’s therapeutic power to quiet the mind and reconnect with the universe.
Hack4Dev
Advancing the IAU’s vision: Harnessing astronomy to tackle poverty, inequality, and inspire the next generation of scientists.
Astro Lab
Step into the Astro Lab: A hub for processing celestial images, discovering asteroids, and conducting hands-on astronomical research.
Opportunities
Explore careers in astronomy, from research to outreach. Discover funding, internships, and how to turn your passion for the cosmos into a profession.
Want To Organize an astronomy event at your institution?
drop us a line and keep in touch
