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The Zimbabwe Open University has its national center at Harare. This Zimbabwean University is considered to be among the frontrunners of all other Zimbabwean universities offering distance learning. The Zimbabwe Open University has multi-disciplinary departments, comprising of brilliant and expert faculty members.
Zimbabwe Open University also offers degree and pass courses for day scholars as well as distant scholars. It also has university programmes for adults, since it believes that there is no age and limit to learning. The well equipped science and computer labs provide the opportunity for a cutting-edge education. Numerous seminars and symposiums organized by the Open University of Zimbabwe provide the gateway to knowledge, especially with the experienced guest lecturers and the researchers as the speakers.
The whole idea behind the establishment of this university is to impart distance learning in Africa as well as the other parts of the world. Having been evolved from the University of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Open University or ZOU has made a breakthrough in the field of education in a country that finds it difficult to even cope up with the basic necessities of survival. Education in Africa was given the least priority, especially when it had to cope with the crashing economy. The growth in illiteracy grew by the day and so did unemployment.
It was on the initiation of the ZANU PF Government, after independence, that education as a human right was made mandatory. It was in its 1980 Election manifesto, that the distance learning programme in Zimbabwe was organized, especially for those who had the urge to learn but could not afford to pay for the expenses of higher education.
Facts about ZOU
1993-The Centre for Distance education in Zimbabwe was first initiated by the department of Education in the University of Zimbabwe,
1996- The Centre for Distance Education was renamed as the University College of Distance Education.
1st March 1999- The University College of Distance Education was finally renamed as the Zimbabwe Open University
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