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(Top) 1 History 2 Vision and mission 3 Academics 3.1 Library 4 Effects on the nation 5 Notable alumni 6 References 7 External links

Zimbabwe Open University

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Zimbabwe Open University

Motto	Empowerment Through Open Learning
Type	Public
Established	1999 (1999)
Chancellor	President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Vice-Chancellor	Professor A.C. Ncube
Academic staff	36 Professors 171 Academic Staff
Administrative staff	559
Students	30,185^[1]
Address	P. O. Box MP 1119 Mount Pleasant, Harare , Harare , Zimbabwe
Website	www.zou.ac.zw

Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) is an open distance education university in Zimbabwe. Established in 1999,^[2] ZOU is the only distance education university in the country.^[2]^[3] Student enrollment at ZOU has been growing steadily from the time of its formation and in terms of enrollment it is the largest university in Zimbabwe.^[2] The Zimbabwe Open University has seven faculties under which the academic programmes are conducted.

History

[edit]

After independence, the Government of Zimbabwe adopted a policy of education for all.^[4] To address the need for high skilled manpower the 5 Year National Development Plan (1991–1995) stated:^[4]

Investment in human resources development is investment in human capital and complements investment in physical and technological innovation. The natural environment can support higher population levels only through technological progress, which requires continued investment in human resources development. Since 1980, GOZ (the Government of Zimbabwe) has aimed at creating an education system that would address the socio-economic needs of the country.^[4]

The University of Zimbabwe, which was the single university in the country at that time, could not cope with the demand for university education.^[4] Two commissions were established: the Williams Commission (1981) and the Zimbabwe Open University Feasibility Study (1986).^[4] In July 1994, a committee was formed to investigate the development of university distance education.^[4] The commission recommended that there is need for distance education at university level to upgrade skills and "to provide a continuing education facility for the adult population".^[4] Based on these recommendations the Centre for Distance Education (CDE) of the University of Zimbabwe was formed in 1993.^[5]^[6]^[7] In 1996, it became the University College of Distance Education (UCDE)^[6]^[7] and finally renamed to Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) on March 1, 1999 by an Act of Parliament.^[5]^[8] The first Vice-Chancellor was Professor Peter Dzvimbo.^[9]

Below is a table showing student enrolment in the Zimbabwe Open University from 1999 to 2017:

Year	1999^[10]	2000^[10]	2001^[10]	2002^[10]	2003^[2]	2004^[10]	2005^[10]	2006^[10]
Total student enrolment	14,313	16,995	23,161	17,770	19,228	20, 400

The year 2001 marked the increase of the enrollment figures to 23,161. It was because Commerce degrees were introduced that year.^[10] There was a decline in student enrollment in 2002 because some found independent learning difficult and many students faced economic difficulties.^[10] In 2003, a total of 19,228 students were enrolled in the university which constituted 46.9% of the total university enrolment in the country.^[2] According to 2006 estimates, approximately 20,000 students are enrolled in the university which makes it the largest university in Zimbabwe.^[1]^[11]

Vision and mission

[edit]

According to the website of the university, ZOU's vision is the "VISION To be the university of choice in open and distance learning

MISSION Empowering the world through high quality open and distance learning enabled by technology 2018".^[12] The core ideology of the university is "to develop a best-practice enterprise-culture-based open and distance learning university focused on influencing development and change".^[12] ZOU's website states its mission is "to empower people through life long learning, thereby enabling them to realise their full potential in an affordable and flexible manner while executing their various endeavours".^[12]

Academics

[edit]

The Zimbabwe Open University is a multidisciplinary and inter-faculty institution.^[4] It offers both degree courses and non-degree courses.^[4] The university has six faculties: the Faculty of Science and technology, the Faculty of Arts and Education, the Faculty of Commerce and Law, Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty Agriculture and Faculty of Information Technology.^[4] A total of 24 programmes are offered under these faculties.^[4] As of 2006;

The Faculty of Education:

Department of Educational Studies
Department of Teacher Development.^[10]

The Faculty of Science and Technology has four departments:

Department of Health Science,
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.^[10]

The Faculty of Commerce is the largest faculty.^[10] It has three departments:

Department of Banking and Finance Management and Business Studies
Department of Accounting
Department of Human Resources, Marketing and Labour Relations.^[10]

The Faculty of Agriculture has three Department:

Department of Agricultural Management
Department of Animal Production - Work in Progress
Department of Soils and Plant Sciences - Work in Progress

Faculty of IT and Multimedia Communications has two departments:

Department of Information Technology
Department of Software Engineering

Faculty of Applied Social Sciences^[13]

Department of Counselling
Department of Development Studies
Department of Disability Studies
Department of Information Science and Records Management
Department of Peace
Department of Psychology

Faculty of Arts, Culture and Heritage Studies:^[14]

Department of Heritage Studies
Department of Languages and Literature
Department of Media and Journalism Studies
Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy

The course delivery methods include print media, compact cassettes, videocassettes, telephone, fax, e-mail, CDs and radio broadcasts.^[2] ZOU arranges for its students monthly face-to-face meetings with tutors in its regional centers.^[15] The university is envisaging the introduction of telelearning/teleteaching methods in its course delivery.^[16]

ZOU was a partner in the Electronic Distance Training on Sustainability in African Local Governments (EDITOSIA), a project started in 2001 aimed at formulating recommendations for policymakers of the government, training institutions, municipal associations and other agencies regarding promotion of teaching methods for building the capacity of African governments to deal with the challenges of local sustainability.^[17]

ZOU has partnered with the Foundation of Angel of Hope led by Zimbabwe `s First lady to give women a chance to improve their lives through offering free learning to Zimbabwe`s disadvantaged women. The programme is intended to cover all of Zimbabwe`s provinces to empower women in different life skills. The First lady, Mrs Mnangagwa urged all women, young and old to go back to school in order to benefit their families and communities.^[18] The Vice Chancellor of ZOU, Professor Paul Gundani^[19] and his team embraced the programme and were ready to offer their guidance to the benefiting women.^[20]

Library

[edit]

The library of the university was fundamental in the success of ZOU.^[21] The libraries consist of a branch in each of the regional centers handled by two people.^[21] These libraries are very popular.^[21] The administration of all the libraries in different regional centers are centralized to maintain uniformity and easy coordination.^[21] The library of ZOU has agreement with other universities in the country under the Zimbabwe University Libraries Associations to use each other's facilities.^[21]

Effects on the nation

[edit]

According to Mr Mhlotswa, the Deputy Librarian of the Zimbabwe Open University, the course on agriculture offered by ZOU has contributed significantly to the land reform programme in the country.^[21] The industry also praised the university as many of their employees have improved performance after undergoing the ZOU programmes.^[21] Graduates from the ZOU are established in almost every sector of the economy of Zimbabwe.^[8]

Notable alumni

[edit]

Rudolf Nyandoro, Catholic bishop

References

[edit]

^ ^a ^b An academy in Zimbabwe^{[permanent dead link]} International Center for Theoretical Physics

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "africaodl.org". www.africaodl.org. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.

^ "Zimbabwe Open University Utilizes Synapse to Deliver Web-Based Education Across the Country". Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2008.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Access to tertiary education as a national strategy for development - The Zimbabwe Open University case World Bank

^ ^a ^b Liz Burge; Elizabeth J. Burge; Margaret Haughey (2002). Using Learning Technologies: International Perspectives on Practice. Routledge. p. 51. ISBN 0-415-21687-7.

^ ^a ^b Conversion of Zimbabwe Open University to Decentralized Web-Based Learning Archived April 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Knight-moore.com

^ ^a ^b Higher Education and Open and Distance Education as a Strategy for National Development: the ZOU Case UNESCO

^ ^a ^b The Transformative Aspect of Open and Distance Learning Towards Equity and National Brain Gain: the Zimbabwe Open University Case Archived December 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Association of African Universities

^ "About ZOU". ZOU. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m The role of Zimbabwe Open University in open and distance learning in Zimbabwe University of South Africa

^ Penny Dale; Matt Holland; Marian Matthews (2006). Subject Librarians. Ashgate Publishing Ltd. pp. 182. ISBN 0-7546-4095-7.

^ ^a ^b ^c Zimbabwe Open University: Vision and Mission Archived April 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Zimbabwe Open University

^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

^ "Faculty of Arts, Culture and Heritage Studies | Zimbabwe Open University". Archived from the original on 10 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.

^ Glen A. Jones; Patricia Louise McCarney; Michael L. Skolnik (2005). Creating Knowledge, Strengthening Nations: The Changing Role of Higher Education. University of Toronto Press. p. 33. ISBN 0-8020-3856-5.

^ Challenges faced by Zimbabwe Open University in planning to integrate telelearning in its course delivery: A case study Archived May 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Commonwealth of Learning

^ Gianluca Misuraca (2007). E-Governance in Africa, from Theory to Action. IDRC. p. 299. ISBN 978-1-55250-369-0.

^ [1]^{[dead link]}

^ "Gundani appointed ZOU Vice-Chancellor". Business Times. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2023.

^ Herald, The. "Thousands benefit from First Lady/ZOU partnership. . . more expected to join". The Herald.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g The library as a tool for development: the case of Zimbabwe International Federal of Library Associations and Institutions

External links

[edit]

Universities in Zimbabwe

17°47′00″S 31°03′13″E / 17.783221°S 31.053693°E / -17.783221; 31.053693

v t e Association of African Universities
Algeria	Algiers 1 University Constantine 1 University Oran 1 University University of Ouargla University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene
Angola	Agostinho Neto University
Benin	University of Abomey-Calavi
Botswana	Botho University Botswana Accountancy College Botswana International University of Science and Technology Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Botswana
Burkina Faso	Nazi Boni University University of Ouagadougou
Burundi	University of Burundi
Cameroon	University of Bamenda University of Buea University of Douala University of Dschang University of Maroua University of Ngaoundéré University of Yaoundé I
Cape Verde	Jean Piaget University of Cape Verde
Central African Republic	EUCLID University of Bangui
Chad	University of N'Djamena
Republic of the Congo	Marien Ngouabi University
Cote d'Ivoire	International University of Grand-Bassam Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Catholic University of Bukavu University of Kinshasa University of Kisangani University of Lubumbashi
Egypt	Ain Shams University Al-Azhar University Alexandria Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology Alexandria University Benha University Cairo University Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology Egyptian e-Learning University Helwan University Mansoura University Menoufia University Minya University Misr University for Science and Technology October 6 University Pharos University in Alexandria South Valley University Suez Canal University Tanta University The American University in Cairo The British University in Egypt University of Sadat City Zagazig University
Eritrea	University of Asmara
Eswatini	University of Eswatini
Ethiopia	Addis Ababa Science and Technology University Addis Ababa University Ethiopian Civil Service University Haramaya University Hawassa University Jimma University Mekelle University St. Mary's University Wollega University
Gabon	Omar Bongo University
Ghana	Accra Institute of Technology Accra Technical University African University College of Communications All Nations University Ashesi University Bluecrest University College Central University George Grant University of Mines and Technology Ghana Institute of Languages Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration Koforidua Technical University Kumasi Technical University Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Methodist University College Ghana Pentecost University Presbyterian University College Radford University College Regent University College of Science and Technology Regional Maritime University University for Development Studies University of Cape Coast University of Education, Winneba University of Energy and Natural Resources University of Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences University of Professional Studies University of Media, Arts and Communication Valley View University Wisconsin International University College Zenith University College
Kenya	African Virtual University Catholic University of Eastern Africa Daystar University Dedan Kimathi University of Technology Egerton University International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kenyatta University Maseno University Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Moi University Mount Kenya University Multimedia University of Kenya South Eastern Kenya University Strathmore University Umma University University of Eldoret University of Nairobi
Lesotho	National University of Lesotho
Liberia	Cuttington University Stella Maris Polytechnic University United Methodist University
Libya	Al Asmarya University for Islamic Sciences Al Zawiya University Misurata University Sabha University University of Benghazi University of Tripoli
Madagascar	University of Antananarivo University of Toamasina University of Toliara
Malawi	Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Malawi University of Science and Technology UNICAF University of Malawi
Mali	University of Bamako
Mauritania	University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya
Mauritius	Open University of Mauritius University of Mauritius University of Technology, Mauritius
Morocco	Mohammed First University Mohammed V University University of al-Qarawiyyin
Mozambique	Catholic University of Mozambique Eduardo Mondlane University Maputo University
Namibia	International University of Management Namibia University of Science and Technology University of Namibia
Niger	Abdou Moumouni University Higher Institute of Mining, Industry and Geology Maryam Abacha American University Niger
Nigeria	Abia State University Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Adamawa State University Ahmadu Bello University Al-Hikmah University Babcock University Bayero University Bells University of Technology Bowen University Crawford University Delta State University, Abraka Ebonyi State University Federal University of Technology, Minna Federal University of Technology, Owerri Federal University of Technology, Yola Gombe State University Kogi State University Kwara State University Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Michael Okpara University of Agriculture National Open University of Nigeria Niger Delta University Nnamdi Azikiwe University Osun State University Pan-Atlantic University Redeemer's University Rivers State University University of Abuja University of Africa University of Agriculture, Abeokuta University of Agriculture, Makurdi University of Benin University of Calabar University of Ibadan University of Ilorin University of Lagos University of Port Harcourt University of Uyo Usman Dan Fodio University
Rwanda	Université Nationale du Rwanda
Sierra Leone	Njala University University of Sierra Leone
Somalia	Benadir University East Africa University Puntland State University
South Africa	Cape Peninsula University of Technology Central University of Technology Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University North-West University Rhodes University University of Cape Town University of Fort Hare University of Johannesburg University of KwaZulu-Natal University of the Free State University of Limpopo University of Pretoria University of South Africa University of Stellenbosch University of the Western Cape University of the Witwatersrand University of Venda University of Zululand Walter Sisulu University
South Sudan	University of Juba
Sudan	El Imam El Mahdi University Omdurman Ahlia University Red Sea University University of Science and Technology
Tanzania	Ardhi University Muslim University of Morogoro Mzumbe University St. Augustine University of Tanzania The Open University of Tanzania University of Dar es Salaam Zanzibar University
The Gambia	University of the Gambia
Togo	Université de Lomé
Uganda	Busitema University Uganda Christian University Uganda Management Institute Uganda Martyrs University
Zambia	Cavendish University Copperbelt University Mulungushi University University of Zambia Zambian Open University
Zimbabwe	Africa University Bindura University of Science Education Chinhoyi University of Technology Great Zimbabwe University Harare Institute of Technology Lupane State University Midlands State University National University of Science and Technology University of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Open University