ZOU SRC Gains Strategic Insights on Benchmarking Visit to UNISA
A delegation from the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) Student Representative Council (SRC), led by the Dean of Students, Mrs. Chivasa, has concluded a highly productive benchmarking visit to the University of South Africa (UNISA). The week-long engagement, held from November 24 to 28, 2025, was aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and gathering best practices in student governance and support within an Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL) environment.
Group photo of ZOU SRC delegation and their UNISA counterparts.
The visit, hosted by UNISA’s Dean of Students, Dr. Sipuko, and UNISA SRC, provided a comprehensive overview of the systems and strategies that underpin one of Africa’s largest distance learning institutions.
The programme commenced with opening remarks and introductions, where Dr. Sipuko warmly welcomed the ZOU delegation. Mrs. Chivasa outlined ZOU’s objectives for the visit, emphasizing the desire to learn from UNISA’s extensive experience in ODeL to enhance student welfare and administrative efficiency at ZOU.
A key session on Student Governance Models followed, with Mr. Malatjie Mogau from UNISA detailing their structure for student participation and representation. This session allowed for a direct comparison of governance frameworks and sparked discussions on effective student leadership in a digital learning context.
The second day focused on the critical pillars of communication and academic support. UNISA experts delivered an in-depth presentation on their Communication Strategy in an ODeL Environment, revealing innovative methods to engage a dispersed student body effectively.
Further deep-dive sessions covered essential student services, including:
- Student Application and Registration Processes
- Support Services for Examinations and Assignments
These discussions offered the ZOU team valuable insights into the digital infrastructure and streamlined processes UNISA employs to guide students from enrolment through to graduation.
The delegation undertook a guided tour of UNISA’s premises, visiting state-of-the-art student service centres, libraries, and technology hubs. This practical exposure allowed the ZOU SRC to see firsthand how physical and digital support systems are integrated to serve ODeL learners effectively.
ZOU SRC delegation pose for a photo at the UNISA Science Campus in Florida Johannesburg
From left SRC President, Miss Joyline Madombwe, shares insights and experiences with her co-interviewee UNISA SRC Treasurer General, Nokhutula Mathonsi, in the UNISA Campus Radio Studio.
The benchmarking visit was hailed as a significant success by the ZOU delegation. The knowledge gained in student governance, strategic communication, and robust support systems is expected to directly inform new initiatives at ZOU.
“The insights we have gathered from UNISA are invaluable,” said a representative of the ZOU SRC. “We are returning with a wealth of ideas that we believe can significantly enhance student engagement and service delivery for all ZOU students. This visit has not only been educational but has also strengthened the ties between our two institutions.”
The visit marks a pivotal step towards modernizing student representation and support at ZOU, with the SRC poised to collaborate with university management to implement actionable strategies inspired by UNISA’s world-class model.
ZOU SRC Benchmarking Visit to UNISA in Pictures
