Professor Moffat Chitapa Tarusikirwa is an Associate Professor of Education in the
Department of Teacher Development in the Faculty of Education at the Zimbabwe Open
University. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Education (University of the Western Cape,
R.S.A.), a Master’s degree in Educational Administration, Planning and Policy Studies (UZ),
a Master of Science degree in Marketing (NUST), a Bachelor of Education degree in Biology
(UZ), a Higher National Diploma in Marketing Management (Harare Polytechnic), a Diploma
in Business Studies (UZ), a Certificate in Education, majors Mathematics and Science
(University of Bristol, UK), a Certificate in Computer Application in Educational Research
(Bulawayo Polytechnic), a Certificate in Labour Relations (Contact Human Resources,
Zimbabwe (PVT) LTD, Zimbabwe, a Certificate in Mentoring (University of the Western
Cape), a Certificate in Microsoft Project, Level 1, X-llent Training, RSA, a Certificate in
Research Writing Skills (NUST and INASP), and a Certificate in Basic Higher Education
Teaching Skills (Association of African Universities).
Professor Tarusikirwa has 43 years of experience in the field of education inclusive of
secondary school teaching (18 years), University teaching (25 years) and a total of 40 years of
Educational management experience. He held several positions as Mathematics and Science
Teacher, Head of Department (Mathematics and Science), Senior Master, Deputy Head/ Head
at Secondary School level in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, he has served as Lecturer and Regional
Programmes Coordinator for the UZ and later The Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) in the
Department of Educational Studies for over 18years, and Teacher Development as Chairperson
for 10 years. He has also served as Acting Regional Director (2005- 2006) and as Acting Dean
of The Faculty of Arts and Education (2013 and 2014).
On a national level, and international level, Prof Tarusikirwa, has served as National Chief
Examiner (Additional Mathematics) for the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council
(ZIMSEC), as an Associate, Zimbabwe Institute of Management (ZIM), Member Zimbabwe
Academic and Non-Fiction Writers Association (ZANA) among others. Prof Tarusikirwa has
also been Team Leader and Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Open University Project Team that
came up with a grant winning proposal for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
Teacher Capacitation Programme launched by the Minister of Primary and Secondary
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Education on the 17th July, 2014 at the Harare International Conference Centre. Moreover, he
has also served as External Examiner (UZ Department of Teacher Education), External
Examiner, for the Universities of Fort Hare, The Free State, Durban University of Technology,
R.S.A. and UNZA, Zambia. Additionally, Prof. Tarusikirwa served as Peer Reviewer for
ZIMCHE since 2014.
Furthermore, Prof Tarusikirwa taught Mathematics and Science in the UK prior to
independence. Moreover, Prof Tarusikirwa had a stint in South Africa at the University of the
Western Cape and tutored Research Methods and Statistics and Life Sciences to BSc. Honours
and B.Ed. Honours students. Additionally, Prof Tarusikirwa took part in the University of the
Western Cape Peer Mentoring Programme in which he trained Tutors and Mentors and acted
as Consultant in the Train the Trainer Programme. Moreover, Prof Tarusikirwa worked as
Researcher and Consultant in the Department for Student Support Services and sat on the
Department Board. Furthermore, he created a Research Journal Database for the Faculty of
Education in addition to updating the Postgraduate Database for the same Faculty.
Additionally, Prof Tarusikirwa, served as an Academic Support Consultant as well as giving
Guidance and Mentoring to junior staff.
Still on the international scene, Prof Tarusikirwa has for 8 years coordinated the Zimbabwe
Open University Postgraduate Collaboration Partnership with the University of Zambia as
Chairperson and Team Leader. Prof Tarusikirwa has also been a member of the Society for
Research into Higher Education (SRHE) U.K. (2001-2005), member of the Network for the
Coordination and Advancement of Sub – Saharan Africa – EU Science and Technology
Cooperation (2009 – 2010), member: African Network for Internationalization of Education
(ANIE) current, and member of Distance Education Association of Southern Africa (DEASA)
current. Prof Tarusikirwa is also on the International Board of Advisers for the African Journal
of Social Sciences and has reviewed numerous articles for a number of both local and
International Peer Reviewed Journals. Moreover, Prof Tarusikirwa has supervised and
examined many PhD candidates both locally and internationally over 10 years.
Prof Tarusikirwa has co-ordinated a number of internationally funded projects including the
UNICEF – Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Teacher Capacitation Programme in
which he was the Team Leader and Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Open University Project
Team that came up with a grant winning proposal for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary
Education Teacher Capacitation Programme launched by the Minister of Primary and
Secondary Education and officiated by the President of Zimbabwe on the 17th July, 2014 at the
Harare International Conference Centre.
Some of his areas of research interest are as follows, Comparative Education, Supervision of
Personnel, Management, Leadership, Organisational Effectiveness, Organizational
Development, Gender Equity in Higher Education Gender and Equity, Higher Education
Studies, Educational Management, Leadership and Supervision, Entrepreneurship, Small to
Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSE’s), Organisational management, Marketing and Market
research, Globalisation and Higher Education, The role of information technology in
educational provision, Research Methodology, The role of the manager and organisational
effectiveness, Internationalisation of Education, Measurement and Evaluation, Teacher
Education, Policy, Culture and Gender Studies. He has published more than 28 papers in
refereed journals and presented more than 55 conference papers. Selected Publications:
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Papers published in refereed journals, books, book chapters and international conference
presentations:
Papers and publications:
Books 12
Articles (31)
Conference paper presentations (57)
Dr Sophie Hlatywayo
Professor Rosemary Ngara
Professor Richard Bukaliya
Professor Moffat Chitapa Tarusikirwa
Dr. Dingindawo Ncube
Zamani Mzaca
Francis Ndlovu
Tazivei Dondofema
Sitabile Chivasa
Abia Mutumbwa