ZOU Mashonaland Central Advances Strategic Growth and Community Footprint

Acting Mashonaland Central Regional Director, Dr. G. Chigunwe (right), guides the Acting Chairperson of the ZOU Council, Ms. Loice Ngulube, alongside members of the University Council and Executive Management, during a strategic tour of the campus on 16 July 2026

The Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) Mashonaland Central Regional Campus hosted the University Council and Executive Management on Thursday 16 July 2026 for a strategic campus tour and development presentation. The engagement highlighted the campus’s upward trajectory in enrollment, rural accessibility, and upcoming commercial ventures.

Key Strategic Milestones

Enrollment Expansion: Following a highly successful examination cycle, the campus is leveraging strong momentum to push student enrollment past the 500-student milestone this semester.
Devolved Rural Reach: Operating under the directive “Marketing is everyone’s business,” the campus has fortified its presence across seven key district hubs: including Mt Darwin, Muzarabani, and Mbire to broaden access to open learning.
High-Impact Partnerships: Advanced negotiations are underway to deliver targeted short courses, including vital sign language training for Bindura Hospital, alongside key training partnerships with the Bindura Municipality and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

To drive institutional visibility and self-sustainability, the campus is actively rolling out a robust operational roadmap that includes hosting an upcoming Innovation and Career Expo, launching commercial agricultural projects, and fundraising for a new multipurpose hall.

This high-level Council visit underscores a unified commitment to transform the Mashonaland Central Regional Campus into a premier, self-sustaining hub for tertiary excellence and community-driven development in the province.

Council Familiarisation Tour in pictures