Zimbabwe Open University
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[edit] The university
The Zimbabwe Open University is a multi-disciplinary inter-faculty institution offering degree and non-degree courses through distance teaching and open learning to youth and adult learners. With cutting-edge technology, the 'Zimbabwe Open University(ZOU) provides knowledge, competencies and dispositions necessary for the development of competitive human resources. In a dynamic and fast-changing global village, a philosophy of lifelong learning for social inclusion is our guiding beacon.
[edit] ZOU history
The Zimbabwe Open University evolved out of the University of Zimbabwe after it had been realized by Government that there was a need to develop distance education and open learning. This development was necessitated by the fact that many people in Zimbabwe wanted to gain education at tertiary level, but the colonial restrictions had denied them a chance. After independence, the ZANU PF Government whose 1980 Election manifesto made education a human right facilitated the development of distance education to accommodate all the people who would not be in a position to go to conventional, residential, tertiary institutions for an education because of lack of sufficient funding and commitments.
The Centre for Distance education was started in the Faculty of Education, University of Zimbabwe, in 1993. In 1996, the Centre for Distance Education became the University College of Distance Education. Three years later, on 1 March 1999, the College became the Zimbabwe Open University.
[edit] The Zimbabwe Open University mandate
The Zimbabwe Open University was established by an Act of Parliament, The Zimbabwe Open University Act Chapter 25.20, Number 12/98. It is a state-sponsored University with the mandate to preserve, advance and transmit knowledge through a distance education system. In consistence with these objectives, it is required to nurture the intellectual, aesthetic, social and moral growth of the students of the University.
In order to achieve its objectives, the University was given the following powers, tasks and responsibilities:
To provide research and courses of instruction suitable to the needs of the learner through a distance education system and to take such other steps as may appear necessary and desirable for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge To hold examinations and to confer degrees including honorary degrees, diplomas, certificates and other awards, upon persons who have followed a course or courses of study approved by the Senate and additionally, or alternatively, have satisfied other requirements as may be determined by the Senate To provide courses not leading to degrees, diplomas or certificates including training for persons wishing to enter the University To provide opportunities for staff and students and such other persons as the University may approve to engage in productive activity in their normal working environment and any other fields in which the University may, from time to time be engaged To institute professorships, lectureships research fellowships, staff development fellowships and other distinctions, awards and forms of assistance consistent with its objectives To erect and equip laboratories, offices, printing factories, storage and dispatch buildings and structures, libraries, museums, and other buildings for the promotion of its objectives To demand and receive such fees as may from time to time be prescribed by or in terms of the statutes To enter into such contracts and to establish such trusts and to appoint such staff as the University may require To acquire property, movable or immovable and to take, accept and hold any property which may become vested in it by way of purchase, exchange, grant, donation, lease, testamentary disposition or otherwise To sell, mortgage, let or hire, exchange, donate or otherwise dispose of any property held by it To invest in land or securities such funds as may be vested in it for the purpose of endowment, whether for general or specific purposes or such other funds as may be immediately required for current expenditure To do all such things whether or not incidental to the powers specified and whether inside or outside Zimbabwe as may be required in order to further its objectives.
[edit] Regional structures
In order to take university education by distance learning mode to the doorsteps of the learner, the Zimbabwe Open University has established ten regional centres, each headed by a Regional Director. Each regional centre administers the educational business of all the students in that region. It is the hub of all learning activities for the students and this cuts costs of traveling compared to coming to the national Centre at Harare. Thus, all the registration, tutoring, counseling, assignment administration, examinations and grievance handling for the students are responsibilities of the Regional Centres. Only in rare circumstances can the student find it necessary to come to National Centre for redress of problems.
The Zimbabwe Open University is the only institution in Zimbabwe that was established with the sole purpose of delivering learning by distance education and open learning strategies at degree level. As a learning institution itself, it keeps its doors open to ideas that further the interests of all its stakeholders, the most important of these being its students.
