# Institute for Scientific Research in Central Africa

> scientific institution

**Wikidata**: [Q108887196](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108887196)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/institute-for-scientific-research-in-central-africa

## Summary
The Institute for Scientific Research in Central Africa (I.R.S.A.C.) is a research institute founded in 1947 in the Belgian Congo to advance scientific studies in the region. It operates as a specialized organization focused on conducting research, primarily serving Central Africa. The institute is recognized through various international identifiers and catalogs, reflecting its historical role in scientific inquiry.

## Key Facts
- Founded in **1947** in the **Belgian Congo**.
- Officially abbreviated as **I.R.S.A.C.**
- Classified as a **research institute**, an organization whose primary purpose is research.
- Holds international identifiers: ISNI **0000000121613517**, VIAF ID **132785634**, and IDREF ID **184177774**.
- Included in the Library of Congress Authority ID (**n80150367**) and SHARE Catalogue Author ID (**72067**).
- Linked to Yale University’s Lux ID: **group/85a9d78c-0823-4e88-8357-43948acfe3ec**.
- Documented in the UIA Open Yearbook under Organization Website ID **1100048575**.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Institute for Scientific Research in Central Africa established?
A: The institute was founded in **1947** in the Belgian Congo to support scientific research in the region.

### Q: What does I.R.S.A.C. stand for?
A: I.R.S.A.C. is the acronym for the Institute for Scientific Research in Central Africa, reflecting its specialized focus.

### Q: Is the institute still active today?
A: The provided data does not specify its current status, but it is historically documented as operational in the Belgian Congo.

## Why It Matters
The Institute for Scientific Research in Central Africa played a foundational role in advancing scientific knowledge in Central Africa during the mid-20th century. Established in 1947, it contributed to research efforts in a region critical to global scientific understanding, particularly during the colonial era. By focusing on specialized studies, the institute helped bridge gaps in knowledge about Central Africa’s ecosystems, cultures, and natural resources. Its inclusion in prominent international catalogs and authority files (e.g., VIAF, Library of Congress) underscores its historical significance and recognition within the global research community. For scholars and historians, the institute represents a key node in the development of scientific infrastructure in Africa, influencing later research initiatives on the continent.

## Notable For
- **Historical Focus**: One of the earliest research institutes dedicated to Central Africa, established during the colonial period of the Belgian Congo.
- **International Recognition**: Documented in authoritative catalogs such as VIAF, IDREF, and the Library of Congress, ensuring its legacy in academic records.
- **Specialized Mission**: Explicitly organized for scientific research, distinguishing it from general educational or governmental institutions of the time.
- **Regional Impact**: Served as a hub for studies specific to Central Africa’s unique environmental and cultural contexts.

## Body
### Founding and History
- **Inception**: Formally established in **1947** in the **Belgian Congo**, a region now part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- **Context**: Emerged during a period of colonial-era scientific exploration in Africa, reflecting broader efforts to study and document the continent’s resources and societies.

### Organization and Classification
- **Primary Function**: Operated as a **research institute**, prioritizing scientific inquiry over education or policy-making.
- **Geographic Scope**: Focused on Central Africa, addressing regional scientific questions and challenges.

### Identifiers and Catalogs
- **ISNI**: **0000000121613517** (International Standard Name Identifier).
- **VIAF ID**: **132785634**, linked to authority records in global library networks.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: **n80150367**, indicating inclusion in U.S. national bibliographic systems.
- **SHARE Catalogue Author ID**: **72067**, associating the institute with research output tracking.

### Legacy
- **Documentation**: Recognized in historical and academic databases, ensuring its contributions are traceable in scholarly literature.
- **Historical Significance**: Represents a key example of mid-20th-century scientific institutionalization in Africa, influencing later regional research frameworks.