I am delighted to present you with this exciting June - July 2020 edition of MyZOUnews. In this issue, we share with you the various activities and on-goings within the University Community, the ZOU Family. Colleagues, the global pandemic, Corona Virus (COVID-19), is real as witnessed by figures which have been rising. We need to be real and protect ourselves and others from this infectious disease. You can protect yourself and others by washing your hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap with running water, covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or flexed elbow, avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flue-like symptoms, keeping a social distance of one metre and avoiding touching your face.

#Protect yourself and protect others, stay safe.

Till the next communique…

Stewart Mwandiwanza A/Director Information and Public RelationsTel: +263-24-2793003/7/8.information@zou.ac.zw

Kindly share your success stories from your Unit so that we share with the rest of the University stakeholders in future publications.

S e n d y o u r c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o information@zou.ac.zw or kurwat@zou.ac.zw. Let your success stories inspire others! Thank you all who have contributed in the past, you have made this and earlier editions captivating!

Remember, Stay in touch! Staff Writer:T. Kurwa, A/Information OfficerTel: +263-24-2793003/7/8 Ext 239kurwat@zou.ac.zw

Shepherd Chandomba: Graphic DesignerMDU: Tel: +263-24-2793003/7/8 Ext 350

my my my newsnewsnewsmy newsJune - July 2020

Editors' NoteEditors' NoteEditors' NoteLiving Waters Theological Seminary, ZOU sign MoA

The 2nd of July 2020 marked the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Living Waters Theological Seminary (LWTS) and Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU). The signing ceremony took place at the ZOU Century Towers, 11th Floor Boardroom. The MOA will allow the LWTS to offer the ZOU accredited Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Religious Studies and Theology degree and the Bachelor of Arts in E t h i c s and O rgan i s a t i ona l Leadership degree programmes.

Delivering his keynote address during the signing ceremony, the ZOU Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul Henry Gundani described the ceremony as a momentous occasion meant to retool and

revive industry using the latest technology cons is tent wi th Education 5.0 and Vision 2030, whose aim is to become an upper middle-income economy. He emphasized that;

“Through this collaboration, we seek to sensitize our academic staff, students and researchers alike on the need t o p a c k a g e k n o w l e d g e , research and innovation into realizable goods and services. Through this, we will be contributing our stake to economic growth”.

Professor Gundani dissected an axiom attributed to Aristotle which says, “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education

The ZOU Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul Henry Gundani (left) and LWTS Principal, Dr Clever Gomba, exchange the MoA using

the elbow handshake as COVID 19 combative measure.

continued to page 2

“The University of Choice in Open and Distance e-Learning” 111

APPLY NOW2nd Semester 2020 INTAKE

my news

“The University of Choice in Open and Distance e-Learning”

at all.” He said;

“ A l t h o u g h t h e A r i s t o l e a n provenance of the axiom is questioned, it is instructive that religion and ethics have key roles to play in all facets of life. Ethical probity in both the civil and public service will go a long way in e l iminat ing the v ice of corruption. In turn, this will f a c i l i t a t e s u s t a i n a b l e development. It is my hope that through this collaboration, we can help our Nation to exploit the value of their religious and ethical capital properly and fully”.

Professor Gundani ended by quoting an African proverb on collaboration, which says, “If you want to go quickly,

go alone, if you want to go far, go together.” He said he looked forward to the implementation of the MoA in developing human capital in Religion and Ethics in Zimbabwe and outside the borders.

LWTS Principal, Dr. Clever Gomba, a ZOU alumnus, was delighted about the fulfilment of his institution's dream, the dream of partnering with an Institution of higher learning like ZOU, which dream was fulfilled by the signing of the MoA. He said;

“The agreement not only offers an excellent opportunity to e x p a n d l e a d e r s h i p a n d theological training to leaders, pastors and teachers within the AFM but also offers theological training across denominational

affiliations and beyond”.

Dr. Gomba chronicled the LWTS j o u r n e y d a t i n g b a c k t o i t s establishment from 1974 to date. He was happy that in ZOU they had found the best University to take them further in realising their dream.

The signing ceremony was also attended by LWTS Vice Principal, Rev Ireen Chatora Accountant, Mr Innocent Mapete, Programmes Administrator, Primrose Nyajono and Education Committee member, Dr. Constantine Murefu. Standing in for ZOU were the Registrar, Mr. Alexander Tendai Kaseke, Legal Manager, Mrs Z i ve i Hungwe-Denga , Sen io r Managers, Faculty Deans, Unit D i r e c t o r s a n d P r o g r a m m e Chairpersons.

from page 1 Living Waters Theological Seminary, ZOU sign MoA

enrolment in progress222

The signing ceremony in pictures

ZOU Vice Chancellor, Professor Gundani (left) and LWTS Principal Dr. Gomba, sign the MoA in the ZOU

Boardroom at Century Towers on 2 July 2020

From left: Ms Primrose Nyajono, Mr. Innocent Mapete, Dr. Clever Gomba, Professor Paul Gundani,

Dr. Constantine Murefu and Rev Ireen Chatora

Group photo of ZOU and LWTS staff who witnessed the signing ceremony

ZOU 1st Semester 2020 Exams kick off.The Zimbabwe Open University, 1st semester 2020 examinations kicked off, on 13 July 2020 across the regional campuses countrywide and internationally. The examinations were scheduled for three weeks as follows: week 1: – 13 – 17 July, Week 2: – 20 – 24 July 2020 and week 3: 27 -31 July 2020.

The examinations proceeded following delays due to the Covid-19 p a n d e m i c l o c k d o w n . T h e rescheduling of examinations was necessitated by the need to ensure safety and wellness of students and staff on Covid-19.

In fu l f i l l ing the Univers i ty 's commitment to comply with all World Health Organisation (WHO) C o v i d - 1 9 p r o t o c o l s a t a l l examination venues, ZOU Harare Regional Campus, changed its tradit ional venue, Belvedere Teachers Training College (BTTC), once a quarantine Centre to the City Sports Centre. A health scare was raised at one of the regional

campuses, the Mashonaland West Campus, with media reports implying that the venue, Chinhoyi Public Service Training Centre was not suitable and could potentially expose students to COVID 19. Another fake message circulated on the social media purpoting that two returnees who were placed in quarantine and had tested positive to COVID 19 were spotted writing examinations at ZOU Harare Regional Campus examination venue, Harare City Sports Centre.

The University, refuted the reports and issued press statements informing its students, stakeholders and the general public that the reports were inaccurate and not a true reflection of the reality on the g round . “The repor t s were published without having engaged with the relevant Zimbabwe Open U n i v e r s i t y a u t h o r i t i e s f o r verification of facts,”. ….. “One of the students mentioned in the fake message did not exist on the database of ZOU students. The

other one was a student at ZOU Manicaland Regional Campus. The student has always been in Zimbabwe and never visited any country. She was never tested anywhere for COVD 19 neither was she placed on quarantine anywhere and, never set for exams at Harare City Sports Centre,” said the ZOU spokesperson, Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Stewart Mwandiwanza.

He further assured stakeholders that the University had the interest and welfare of its students at heart. “Under no circumstances would the University expose its students and staff to danger”.

An interview with a cross section of students, revealed that most students were elated that finally they were writing their exams amidst anxiety which had been caused by the previous reschedules due to the COVID pandemic. Most of them were in good shape and spirit.

my news

ZOU 1st semester examinations in pictures!

1. Examination & health notices.2-5. Students undergoing temperature screening, foot disinfection and hand washing at entrance.

6-7. Cars being disinfected at entrance.8-10. Students writing exams while maintaining the social distance.

“The University of Choice in Open and Distance e-Learning” 333

my news

I n o u r l a s t i s s u e w e chronicled the University's transformative digital plan, a n d t h e I n s t i t u t i o n ' s establishment history to date. In this issue we will t o u c h o n R e s e a r c h , innovation and community e n g a g e m e n t , S t r a t e g i c p a r t n e r s h i p s a n d c o l l a b o r a t i o n s , Infrastructure development, and Marketing, Information and Public Relations.

Research, Innovation and Community EngagementZOU has registered significant presence in various communities around the country. Some of the communi ty pro jects be ing undertaken by the University include the milk improvement project, beef improvement project, goat rearing project, aquaculture (f ish farming) project, and apiculture (bee keeping) project. These projects are be ing implemented in partnership with Chitomborwizi Network of Diary Farmers, Sanyati Beef Cattle, the University farms in Kadoma and Gweru respectively. The Chitomborwizi Network Dairy project and the Sanyati Beef Cattle rearing project have already started to pay dividends.

The University was heavily i n v o l v e d i n h e l p i n g t h e communities affected by the Cyclone Idai disaster. Twelve Counsellors under the supervision o f M r O . K a n j a n d a , t h e Programme Coordinator for Counselling, worked with the disaster victims for 3 months. In recognition of this work, The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) organization which works

i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Dr El len Gwaradzimba, awarded the University with a special award for, “Posit ive and effective re sponse to Cyc lone Ida i Disaster”.

In the same light, operating under the banner #because we care, t h e U n i v e r s i t y m a d e a commitment to compliment government's effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The efforts are three pronged, that is, (i) offering Counselling services to victims of a social problem that that would have arisen from the lockdown such as domestic and gender based violence, the counselling would be offered t h r o u g h t e l e a n d v i d e o conferencing inconjuction with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. (ii) The ZOU Department of Nursing reviewed the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in the community and household document from the Nursing Directorate of the Ministry of Health Child Care. The document was useful in formulating the G o v e r n m e n t ' s C O V I D 1 9 Preparedness and Response Plan. Further, the Nursing department was a l s o i n s t r umen ta l i n formulating the ZOU COVID-19 strategy for use during and after the lockdown period, and (iii) ZOU appealed for assistance in cash and in kind to support the vulnerable such as Child headed families through the Department of Social Welfare.

The University also provides requested reading materials to prisoners and members of staff of Harare Prisons Service.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations.Besides our active leadership role in ODeL at National, Regional, I n t e r n a t i o n a l l e v e l s , t h e Zimbabwe Open University also boasts of its numerous strategic partners, the latest which is the L iv ing Waters Theo log ica l Seminary (LWTS), signed on 2 July 2020 and the Afr ican Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) signed on 13 March 2020. Other strategic partnerships and collaborations include:

! The Institute of People Management (IPMZ), this was a sister collaborative partnership by the two academic institutions and p i o n e e r s o f d i s t a n c e education in Zimbabwe in t r a i n i n g , r e s e a r c h , innovation, transfer of skills, dissemination of knowledge, quality assurance, seminars and conferences especially in H u m a n R e s o u r c e Management.

! Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the collaboration covered the f i e l d s o f r e s e a r c h , d e v e l o p m e n t , q u a l i t y a s su ran ce , e du ca t i o n , training and transfer of skills, dissemination of knowledge as well as establishment of Centre of Excel lence in Tourism and Hospitality in Victoria Falls.

! The City of Harare (COH) focused on the provision of short courses and training. To date eighty-three (83) City of Harare Graduate Trainee were t ra ined on Loca l G o v e r n a n c e a n d Administration. This was a four-week training course.

ZOU @ 21

“The University of Choice in Open and Distance e-Learning”444

continued to page 5

The COH is set to achieve a world-class city status by 2025, in line with the National vision 2030 to achieve a middle-class society.

! The Chitomborwizi Network of F a r m e r s i s a f a r m i n g community which is involved in both crops and livestock e n t e r p r i s e s . T h e collaboration was aimed at improving the livelihoods of the Chitomborwizi farming community through more milk yields from their herds.

! Agricultural Technical and E x t e n s i o n S e r v i c e s (AGRITEX): Sanyati District. The working partnership was established primarily on the use of Artificial Insemination (AI) techniques for improving the beef herd for farmers. During the current reporting period a total of about 200 herd has been services using AI techniques with semen from a pedigree Tuli bull.

! Development Governance Inst i tute (DEGI) Pr ivate Limited. The collaboration s e e k s t o e s t a b l i s h a framework within which co-ope ra t i on may deve lop between the two institutions.

! Flexi E Health Services, the collaboration sought to jointly develop the IT solut ion utilizing expertise from all the parties involved.

! Beitbridge Juicing Company (BBJ) a private business entity with vested interests in Beverages and Horticultural Production.

! Theo l og i c a l Co l l e ge o f Zimbabwe, Domboshawa Theological College, Christian College of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe Christian College

and Zimbabwe Theological Education by Extension. The University quality assures academic activities of these As soc i a t e and A f f i l i a t e Colleges.

! Some of our regional partners inc lude BOCODOL (now Botswana Open University, Kenyatta University, VAMARA Group which is based in South Africa, the Catholic University of Mozambique and the University of Zambia (UNZA). Some of our Regional partners have requested us to offer DPhil and Masters training to their staff and students. ZOU is indeed exporting education thus contributing in our small way to the fiscus.

Infrastructure DevelopmentOver the years since, its inception, the Zimbabwe Open University's overall strategic thrust was premised on the need to offer high quality service and convenience to our valued students.

The management deliberately prioritised the deployment of University resources to the Regional Campuses where our students are serviced and this has helped us to provide high quality service to the students. Only after being satisfied that sustainable quality service was delivered to our students, we would then shift focus to build the main campus at the end, after students, and faculty staff were settled properly in the Regional Campuses in all the 10 Provinces. Hence the slow construction of the Hatcliffe main Campus.

The University has to date accomplished this by purchasing,

extending and refurbishing our Regional Campuses in Bulawayo, Mat South, Masvingo, Midlands, Manicaland, Mashonaland East, M a s h o n a l a n d C e n t r a l , Mashonaland West all these campuses are in good stead in accordance with the ZIMCHE r equ i r emen t s and w i l l b e continuously improved in line with the smar t c i t i es /c i ty town concepts.

What remains for us is to acquire infrastructure for the remaining two Regional Campuses, namely M a t a b e l e l a n d N o r t h , a n d Harare/Chitungwiza Regional Campuses. These two Regional Campuses are on rented premises, however our parent Ministry is supporting us to build state of the art campuses. With regard to the Hatcl i ffe Main Campus, the University is working on some Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) or Build, Operate and Transfer (BOTs) for the development of the Main Campus in a phased manner. H o w e v e r, t h e o b t a i n i n g hyper inf la t ionary economic environment has not spared us in this journey. The National Centre is using Corner House which we bought from Old Mutual on a rent to buy agreement. Our Michael Court has been established as the University Hub and the Graduate School of Business (GSB).

In addition to the impressive infrastructure the Zimbabwe Open University has established in the R e g i o n a l C a m p u s e s , t h e Institution is working very hard to bring education further to the doorstep of many learners throughout the country. To date, we have established thirty (22) D i s t r i c t l e a r n i n g c e n t r e s

from page 4

my news

continued to page 6

ZOU @ 21

“The University of Choice in Open and Distance e-Learning” 555

my news

“The University of Choice in Open and Distance e-Learning”666

throughout the country. Our na t i on canno t a f fo rd t he displacement of learners from the countryside where most of them are employed as teachers, police officers or other groups of civil servants or as farm workers, to the urban areas to further their education. This migration is unnecessary and costly for the nation, hence our strategy to bring education through these learning centres to every corner of the motherland, Zimbabwe.

As ment ioned ear l ie r, our infrastructure strategy was to start with the Regional campuses and when all those important stake holders were settled, as is generally the case now, then we would focus on building the Main campus.

Information, Marketing and Public RelationsInformation, marketing and public relations are key drivers in higher and tertiary education.

Higher and tertiary education currently operates in a strongly c o m p e t i t i v e m a r k e t w i t h d e t e rm i ned un favou rab l e demographic processes, and have to compete for students. One such competitive factor is the brand management and positive re la t ionsh ips wi th var ious elements of the environment. The strategic role, in addition to the service offer, when creating a positive image, is attributed to t h e a d o p t e d f o r m s o f communication. The growing role of public relations in the communication strategy of higher education is the result of, among others, the changes in the expectations of, especially the y o u n g e r g e n e ra t i o n , t h e increasingly sceptical approach to the classic advertising and the results of the changing media t e chno l og i e s t ha t enab l e participation and provide easy and cont inuous access to information.

In this regard, the Information, Marketing and Public Relations unit undertakes various activities which includes among others:

! Attending exhibitions such as the ZITF and the Harare Agricultural Show.

! Conduct market outreach programmes and direct marketing in companies, i n s t i t u t i o n s a n d organisations, e.g. ZRP, B an k s , S upe rma r ke t s , Teachers' Colleges.

! B r a n d m a n a g e m e n t , featuring in a number of Te l e v i s i o n a n d R a d i o p r o g r a m m e s f o c u s i n g specifically on new issues such as Disability Studies and Special Needs Education and public lecturers

Reaching twenty-one years is a milestone worth celebrating.

M a k o r o k o t o , A m p h l o p e , Congratulations ZOU

from page 5 ZOU @ 21

BECAUSE WE CAREBECAUSE WE CAREBECAUSE WE CARECORONAVIRUS PREVENTION

my news

“The University of Choice in Open and Distance e-Learning” 777

MANAGERIAL APPOINTMENTS

The Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), Executive Management, Staff and Students congratulate Mrs. Sipiwe Dlakuseni Ndebele on her appointment as the Manager, Procurement effective 1 July 2020.

Mrs Ndebele joins ZOU from Lupane State University where she was the Procurement Manager. She holds a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (CUT), Master of Commerce Strategic Management and Corporate Governance (MSU), Bachelor of Commerce Business Management (MSU), HND Supply Chain Management (HEXCO), ND Technical and Vocational (Gweru Poly) and Class One (1) Journeyman Certificate (Bulawayo Poly).

Mrs Ndebele, a seasoned Procurement and Supply Chain Management Professional with 17 years experience in strategic procurement and supply management, brings to ZOU a wealth of experience and energised vision for procurement and supply chain management. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).

Her other areas of expertise include Strategic Management & Corporate Governance, and Business Management.

Mrs. Ndebele is married to Dr. Themba Thomas

Ndebele (MD) and the union is blessed with two (2)

children; Bessie Zile Theodora (girl) and Joseph

(boy).

The ZOU family warmly welcomes Mrs.Ndebele and wishes her well in her new assignment.

Mrs. Sipiwe Dlakuseni Ndebele MANAGER, PROCUREMENT

Mr. Wilson Matongo

MANAGER, QUALITY ASSURANCE

Makorokoto! Amhlophe! Congratulations!

The Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), Executive Management, Staff and Students congratulate Mr. Wilson Matongo on his appointment as the Manager, Quality Assurance effective 1 July 2020.

Prior to this latest appointment, Mr Matongo was the Human Resources Officer responsible for Non-Teaching Staff, having joined the University in August 2010. For several periods in the past, he was appointed to act as Manager, Staff Development, Training and Industrial Relations, and Manager, Human Resources. Mr Matongo has been part of the team that assisted transform the Zimbabwe Open University's Human Resources Unit to its current state.

He holds a Master of Commerce in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance (Midlands State University) 2016, Bachelor of Management in Human Resources (Zimbabwe Open University) 2006, Diploma in Education (Masvingo Teachers College) 1999 and Diploma in Personnel Management as well as a Certificate in Labour Law, Arbitration and Conciliation from the Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe obtained in 2004 and 2019 respectively. He is also a Master of Science in Human Resources Management 2020 finalist with Great Zimbabwe University.

A multi-skilled individual, Mr Matongo also holds several other professional qualifications that include certificates in Quality Management Systems, Occupational Safety and Health as well as Project Management. Of note, is that Mr Matongo is a Lead Auditor in ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems certified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and registered with the Southern African Auditors and Training and Certification Authority (SAATCA). He is also a full member of the Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe (IPMZ). His ten (10) years experience in the University as well as solid grounding in human resources management practice will add value to the Quality Assurance Unit.

The ZOU family wishes Mr. Matongo well in his new assignment.

my news

“The University of Choice in Open and Distance e-Learning”888

MANAGERIAL APPOINTMENTS

Mr. Tambaoga Kachambwa MANAGER, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

The Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), Executive Management, Staff and Students congratulate Mr. Tambaoga Kachambwa on his appointment as the Manager, Finance and Administration effective 1 July 2020.

Mr Kachambwa joined ZOU in May 2008 as a Procurement Officer and rose through the ranks. He was the Acting Manager, Finance and Administration until his substantive appointment.

He ho lds a Masters Degree in Bus iness Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Accounting from Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU).

An Associate Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (GCMA) from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Mr Kachambwa has 12 years' practical accounting experience. In 2019, he won the best country student (ZIM) award in the CIMA, May 2019 Strategic Case Study examination.

During his tenure as the Acting Manager Finance, the University won the 2017 Public Sector Finance Management Award of Excellence; that is (i) Overall Best Financial Management, (ii) Excellence in Accounting, Auditing & Financial Reporting, and (iii)

s t1 Runner Up in Debt Administrat ion and Management.

Mr Kachambwa is married to Florence and the union is blessed with four daughters- Charlotte Rutendo, Kimberley Ruvimbo, Tinevimbo and Tinenyasha Blessings.

The ZOU family wishes Mr. Kachambwa well in his new assignment.

Mrs. Shingayirayi Moyo MANAGER, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS OFFICE

The Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), Executive Management, Staff and Students congratulate Mrs. Shingayirayi Moyo on her appointment as the Manager, International Affairs Office effective 1 July 2020.

Prior to this latest appointment, Mrs Moyo was the Acting Manager, Virtual Campus from October 2016 to June 2020 having joined the University in July 2011 as a Programme Coordinator. She was also appointed to act as Manager, Centre for Professional Development from March 2014 to September 2016. Mrs Moyo was part of the Virtual Campus transformation team to the International Affairs Office that it is today.

Mrs. Moyo holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing Strategy (MSU), Master of Business Administration (ZOU), Bachelor of Philosophy in Marketing Management (IMM), Bachelor of Science in Home Economics (MSU), Diploma in Education (UZ) and National Certificate in Information Technology (Harare Poly)

Mrs. Moyo is a seasoned Marketer and Educationist with 21 years' experience in social marketing for the NGO sector and international marketing for Higher Education sector. She brings to ZOU a wealth of experience and energised vision for international marketing for education. She is a member of Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) and Institute of International Marketing Management (IMM).

Her other areas of expertise include Business Administration, Project Management, Digital Marketing, Virtual Moodle training, Strategic Management and Business Management.

Mrs. Moyo is married to Mr. Aaron Moyo and the union is blessed with two children, Nyaradzo Tapiwa Moyo (Girl) and Takudzwa Moyo (Boy)

The ZOU family wishes Mrs. Moyo well in her new assignment.

Makorokoto! Amhlophe! Congratulations!