Prof. Kavwanga Yambayamba
Kavwanga Yambayamba is Associate Professor of Animal Science and current Vice Chancellor of Zambian Open University. He has 37 years of experience as an academic in the higher education sector. He is an accomplished educationist, manager and human development expert. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Sciences) from the University of Zambia (UNZA), a Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Science from the Agricultural University of Norway, a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Growth and Developmental Physiology from the University of Alberta in Canada.
Academically, as a lecturer and researcher, Professor Yambayamba has taught courses including Endocrinology & Metabolism at the Postgraduate level; Anatomy & Physiology of Domestic Animals, Animal Products & By-products and Management of Farm Animals at the Undergraduate level.
His research and supervision of students has mainly centered on physiological/hormonal aspects of compensatory growth of tissues and organs in cattle, with special focus on Mammogenesis; quality of animal products as affected by biochemical/physiological reactions due to animal management; and strategies to enhance animal productivity of indigenous livestock. Professor Yambayamba has published widely in both local and international refereed journals, and several papers in Conference Proceedings, as well as several popular articles.
While at the University of Zambia, Professor Yambayamba served in various capacities, including Head of Animal Science Department, Head of the Department of Food Science & Technology at its inauguration in the late 1990s, as well Assistant Dean (Research) in the School of Agricultural Sciences. He also served as Member of several University committees. From 2012 to 2015, Professor Yambayamba served UNZA as Registrar of the University. At the end of his contract as Registrar at UNZA, Professor Yambayamba had served the University for a period of 29 years, following which he went back into academics. He briefly worked for the Zambian Open University where he served as Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences for one year before relocating to Mulungushi University where he served as Dean of the School of Agriculture & Natural Resources for six years, and also acted several times as Vice Chancellor. He also served the University on several committees.
At the national level, Professor Yambayamba is the Founding President of the Agricultural Institute of Zambia (AIZ) as well as a Founding Member of the Zambia Academy of Sciences (ZaAS) for which he has served as President since 2015. Professor Yambayamba has served on several boards and national committees as part of his public service. His public service has extended to community service, having been involved in numerous community projects around the country. He therefore brings a wealth of experience to Zambian Open University as its Chief Executive Officer.