Minister Ncube Lauds ZOU Midlands for Development Impact
In a powerful affirmation of its transformative mission, the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) Midlands Regional Campus hosted the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, on Monday 16 June 2025. The high-profile visit, a convergence of civic leadership and community, underscored ZOU’s pivotal role in unlocking human potential and driving national progress. The event, graced by the Mayor of the City of Gweru, other Senior Government Officials, heads of institutions, and the community at large, provided an excellent opportunity for ZOU to market its brand, with fliers distributed to all guests.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube in brown suit accompanied by the ZOU Regional Director, Midlands Campus Professor Remigio Mangizvo tours the Midlands Campus with other government officials and ZOU Staff
Established in 1993 under the University of Zimbabwe before gaining its autonomy in 1999, ZOU has championed Open and Distance E-Learning (ODeL), enabling individuals from all walks of life to pursue higher education from the comfort of their homes. This innovative approach has particularly benefited farmers, teachers, entrepreneurs, miners, practicing nurses, and other civil servants, allowing them to enhance their skills and qualifications without disrupting their vital contributions to service delivery.
With over 53,000 graduates from both the private and public sectors, ZOU is a cornerstone of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) Pillar on Human Capital Development. These graduates are positively impacting national development, driving enhanced performance across various sectors as Zimbabwe strives towards an upper middle-income society by 2030, a vision championed by His Excellency President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa.
The university was commended for its strong alignment with the New Dispensation’s Devolution and Decentralisation agenda, evident in its establishment of a regional campus in every province of Zimbabwe. This commitment resonates deeply with the Second Republic’s mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind,” bringing essential services closer to the people. The presence of substantive officers in remote districts like Gokwe North, Gokwe South, and Zvishavane further exemplifies ZOU’s dedication to reaching underserved communities.
Infrastructure Development and Global Reach
As Zimbabwe embraces the 4th Industrial Revolution, with its emphasis on personalized learning, digital literacy, and critical thinking, ZOU is proactively adapting. Plans are underway to establish E-learning district centers at sub-national levels, ensuring widespread access to vital digital education services.
In a significant gesture of support for the campus’s growth and infrastructure, Minister Ncube donated a farm and 100 bags of cement to the Midlands Regional Campus, reinforcing his commitment to infrastructure development and support for higher education.
Beyond national borders, ZOU has significantly elevated Zimbabwe’s educational brand. Through its International Office, the university extends its services to students across SADC, Africa, and globally, including in Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, the USA, UK, Afghanistan, and the People’s Republic of China. This global reach is a testament to ZOU’s commitment to educational excellence and international collaboration.
Embracing Education 5.0 and Community Empowerment
Since its inception in November 2017, the Second Republic, under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, has transformed the educational system through the Education 5.0 philosophy, which emphasizes innovation, industrialization, and entrepreneurship. ZOU Midlands Campus was lauded for fully embracing this model, strategically positioning its programs to convert ideas into tangible goods and services. Its students are actively bolstering production and productivity in critical sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism, construction, manufacturing, and services, all contributing significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. A notable success story highlighted was the development of “Fambayi,” an AI-powered travel software application created by a ZOU student, offering real-time weather updates and local news, catering to a wide range of users from schools to the tourism industry.
Furthermore, ZOU Midlands Campus was praised for its robust support of Her Excellency the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. A. Mnangagwa’s transformative community skills development and empowerment initiatives. The campus has actively partnered with the Angel of Hope Foundation, training over 2,258 women and youths from the Midlands Province’s eight administrative districts in diverse short courses, including Agriculture, First Aid, ECD, Sign Language, Financial Management, and Special Needs Education. An additional 600 individuals are currently undergoing similar vital training.
The visit to ZOU Midlands Campus was deemed highly informative, reinforcing the shared vision of a future where knowledge knows no bounds. The tour culminated in a resounding call to action: to collectively build an inclusive, knowledge-driven economy, with ZOU’s impactful work serving as a powerful beacon illuminating the path to prosperity for every Zimbabwean.
The Ministerial delegation tours ZOU Midlands Regional Campus