It is with deep sadness that the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in Sub-Saharan Africa family has learnt of the untimely passing of Mr. Filipo Zulu, Acting Executive Secretary, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Zambia.
Since the inception of the SGCI, Mr. Zulu has led engagements of the SGCI, initially as the SGCI coordinator and subsequently as the Head of Research Council, Zambia.
His wisdom, leadership, and exceptional contribution to the initiative and to strengthening science, technology, and innovation (STI) capacities in Zambia, in the Southern Africa Development Community, and continentally are celebrated and will be sorely missed.
Filipo was instrumental in incubating and implementing various bilateral and multilateral engagements between NSTC and other science councils on and beyond the African continent.
He was passionate about the link between science and policy and saw a key role of science granting councils in catalysing greater engagement at this interface.
He was passionate about building an enabling environment to build research capacity and leadership in Zambia and for the continent.
He was passionate about the role of science granting councils in science engagement, especially with society in general, with the next generation of scientists and academics, and with industry players.
The SGCI family joins Filipo’s family and friends, the NSTC network, and the science, technology, and innovation fraternity in mourning the loss of a beloved colleague and friend.