ZOU and NAMCOL Forge Strategic Alliance to Revolutionize African Open Learning
The landscape of regional higher education shifted toward a more collaborative future on Monday, 27 April 2026, as the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) officially commenced a high-stakes familiarization visit by the Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL). This strategic meeting, held at ZOU’s Corner House headquarters, marks a pivotal moment for NAMCOL as it prepares for its historic transformation into a fully-fledged Open University.
Warm welcome: NAMCOL CEO and Head of Delegation, Dr. Ngepathimo Kadhila, arrives at ZOU, accompanied by ZOU Vice Chancellor Professor Paul H. Gundani.
The “Midas Touch”: A Meeting of Minds
The morning opened with a powerful welcome from ZOU Vice Chancellor, Professor Emeritus P.H. Gundani, who extended the university’s “warmest greetings” to the Namibian delegation. Reflecting on ZOU’s 25-year legacy since its founding in 1999, Professor Gundani underscored the institution’s commitment to “Empowerment Through Open Learning”.
In a moment of institutional pride, Professor Gundani assured the visitors that ZOU possesses the “Midas touch,” noting that the university’s experience has consistently turned collaborative efforts into “gold,” as seen in their successful partnerships with institutions in Botswana and Zambia.
“New nations established their own Universities because they need a type of higher education appropriate to their problems and their aspirations,” Professor Gundani noted, quoting the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere to emphasize that while knowledge is international, its application must be local.
NAMCOL CEO Dr. Ngepathimo Kadhila outlines the vision for NAMCOL’s evolution during a high-level benchmarking visit to the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU).
The Strategic Road to Transformation
Leading the Namibian delegation, Dr. Ngepathimo Kadhila, CEO of NAMCOL, expressed profound gratitude for the warm hospitality received in Harare. He framed the visit not merely as a tour, but as an essential benchmarking mission for NAMCOL’s evolution.
“We have come here not as visitors merely passing through, but as earnest students of institutional development,” Dr. Kadhila stated. He highlighted that NAMCOL is at a “pivotal and exciting crossroads” as it seeks to build the robust systems and competencies required to operate as a world-class Open University.
Focusing on strategic foundations, the first day of the programme delved into three critical pillars of ZOU’s operational success:
- Strategic Planning: The delegation engaged with ZOU’s planning leadership to understand the frameworks that drive a decentralized university with 10 regional campuses.
- Research, Innovation, and Enterprise Development: Led by the Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise Development, this session explored how ZOU fosters a culture of research visibility and output.
- Quality Assurance: The afternoon concluded with a deep dive into the governance and integration of quality systems across academic functions, a vital component for NAMCOL’s accreditation goals.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Vision for SADC
This visit is more than a knowledge exchange; it is a pursuit of a lasting partnership. Both institutions expressed a sincere intent to culminate the week with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement is expected to pave the way for joint programme development and shared research initiatives designed to serve “the underserved” across both Namibia and Zimbabwe.
As the first day concluded, the atmosphere was one of mutual respect and shared mission. In line with the mantra “Zimbabwe is Open for Business,” ZOU has proven it is also open for academic excellence, setting the stage for a new era of Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) in Southern Africa.
The familiarization visit continues through 29 April, focusing on curriculum development, instructional technologies, and a facility tour of the Harare Regional Campus.
Benchmarking Visit in Pictures
