The Zimbabwe Open University is an Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) institution of higher learning in Zimbabwe.  The ZOU believes in educating the nation not only within the brick and mortar structures, but reaching out to the student’s location.  It was established in 1993 as an offshoot of the University of Zimbabwe, and to date it has grown to be one of the largest Universities in Zimbabwe.  In a bid to bridge the gap between the learner and the University, ZOU has Regional Campuses (formerly Regional Centres) in all Provinces of Zimbabwe, and District Centres as well as the Virtual Campus which caters for regional and international students.  The aim of this decentralized approach is to bring education to the learners’ door step.  It was out of such a thought that the birth of this esteemed Regional Campus, named Bulawayo, after the resident Province emerged, as one of the first six (6) Regional Centres to be established back then in 1993, focusing on the educational needs of the Province.  Since our inception to date, we are serving our purpose as espoused through the Act of Parliament on the establishment of ZOU; thus, to empower the world through high quality open and distance e-learning enabled by technology. 

Home for Bulawayo Regional Campus/ICT Infrastructure/Learning Materials

All our units as Bulawayo Regional Campus are under one roof – providing additional space and facilities for administration, enhancing the ZOU brand marketing, functionality, qualitative and efficient service delivery and value for growth.  Securing a permanent home for the Bulawayo Regional Campus brought so much relief to us as a Regional Campus – we have an academic centre:    

• where centralised delivery of services to our stakeholders is being carried out;
• which has led to a reduction of the University Rental Bill;
• that has brought an identity to us as a Regional Campus;
• where a constitutionalised management of resources such as water, electricity and other rates can be done easily.

The Zimbabwe Open University has embraced the technological age.  Our ICT infrastructure at the Campus is in place and serving its purpose.  The educational infrastructure – ZOU House, is equipped with a modern library enhanced with remote XS, which encompasses Open Access Content, ZOUIR, e-books, e-resources and databases.  The Regional Campus is also furnished with computer laboratories providing access to internet facilities, wifi connectivity, an examinations hall, tutorial rooms as well as administration office space to cater for all the seven faculties and more than 40 diploma and degree courses offered by the Zimbabwe Open University.  In terms of the computer ratio, we are within the ZIMCHE/UNESCO computer staff/student ratio.

In line with the practical realities of the modern era and the novelty COVID-19 global pandemic, the Campus is exploiting the ODeL mode.  We are using technologies to provide teaching and learning materials online and in soft copy form.  Our tutorials are conducted by experienced and specialized personnel, hired from both the industry and the academic fraternity.  In its quest to bring University Education to the door step of every home, the Regional Campus intends to establish two district centres in surrounding areas.

Phone numbers for our switchboard lines are as follows: –

• (02922) 61732
• (0292) 884053-4

E-mail address:  bulawayoregion@zou.ac.zw