ZOU Vice Chancellor’s Unwavering Stand: Setting the Bar for Integrity in Zimbabwean Higher Education

The Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) is establishing a national benchmark for ethical conduct in higher education through its annual Integrity Pledge signing ceremony. This significant event recently saw ZOU staff and students across all regional campuses reaffirm their unwavering dedication to ethical conduct and transparency, led by Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Henry Gundani. Spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), this impactful initiative highlights ZOU’s pivotal role as a pioneer and national model in cultivating a culture of integrity within the nation’s higher education sector.

ZOU Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Henry Gundani deliver his remarks during the Integrity Paedge Signing rollout across regional campuses at Bulawayo Regional Campus on 8 July 2025. He is flanked by (left) Dr. A. Maposa Regional Director Bulawao and (right) Mr A. Midzi ZACC Provincial Head (Matebeleland Provinces)

The pledge signing ceremonies took place across ZOU’s regional campuses on the following dates:

Mashonaland West Regional Campus: July 3, 2025
Mashonaland Central Regional Campus: July 4, 2025
Midlands Regional Campus: July 7, 2025
Bulawayo Regional Campus: July 8, 2025
Matabeleland North Regional Campus: July 9, 2025
Matabeleland South Regional Campus: July 10, 2025
Masvingo Regional Campus: July 11, 2025
Mashonaland East Regional Campus: July 15, 2025
Manicaland Regional Campus: July 16, 2025

ZOU’s consistent commitment, from being the first university to adopt the National Integrity Pledge in 2023 to its steadfast annual renewals, has drawn high commendation from ZACC Provincial Heads. They hailed ZOU’s efforts as a model for the nation, reinforcing ZOU’s internal ethical framework while setting a powerful precedent for other institutions and contributing to a more transparent and accountable society.

ZACC Provincial Heads expressed profound appreciation for ZOU’s unwavering dedication, emphasizing that renewing integrity pledges acknowledges ethical commitment as a living, continuous principle, not a static act. “ZOU’s leadership in renewing these pledges underscores that integrity is an ongoing journey,” they remarked. They further noted that ZACC recognizes the need for continuous individual and institutional growth and reaffirmed dedication in the face of new challenges, setting a commendable precedent. They stressed the vital role academic institutions play in the broader fight against corruption, shaping societal values and fostering ethical leadership.

A Unified Stand Against Corruption

In a compelling address, Professor Gundani welcomed esteemed guests, including representatives from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, ZOU Executive Management, and various departmental and student representative council. He highlighted the profound significance of the Integrity Pledge, describing it as a “momentous gathering” where the university “annually reaffirm[s] our commitment to integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct.”

The Vice Chancellor emphasized that the Integrity Pledge, an initiative introduced by ZACC in 2022, is a crucial weapon in Zimbabwe’s fight against corruption. “It is a critical component in our nation’s fight against corruption, and a vital step towards building ‘the Zimbabwe we want’ as encapsulated in the President of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa: ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo,'” Professor Gundani stated.

The pledge, meticulously designed through a consultative process, serves as a “social contract” for individuals and organizations to commit to honesty, transparency, and accountability. It outlines positive principles such as integrity, objectivity, and impartiality, while also establishing clear disciplinary actions for violations.

ZOU: Setting the Pace in the Fight Against Corruption

Professor Gundani proudly highlighted ZOU’s pioneering role in the national anti-corruption drive:

First University with an Effective Integrity Committee: Established in 2023, ZOU’s Integrity Committee is the first functional and proactive body of its kind in a Zimbabwean university, dedicated to corruption prevention.
First University to Sign an MoU with ZACC: ZOU was the first university to formalize its commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with ZACC, fostering a collaborative approach to combating corruption through education, research, and awareness.
First University to Answer the Call to Fight Against Corruption: Since 2022, ZOU has been at the forefront, demonstrating a deep-seated commitment to embedding integrity within its very fabric, long before many other institutions.
A Key Player in the National Anti-Corruption Strategy: ZOU actively contributes to Pillar 3 of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which focuses on Increase public demand for transparency and accountability and rejection of corruption in government offices, ministries, agencies and State-owned enterprises (SOEs)/parastatals, public institutions, media houses and the private sector.
First to Sign Pledges in All 10 Provinces: Extending its reach beyond the capital, ZOU was the first university to facilitate integrity pledge signings across all ten of Zimbabwe’s provinces, ensuring a nationwide commitment to ethical practices.
Unprecedented Leadership Buy-in: In a powerful display of institutional commitment, ZOU was the first university to have its Vice Chancellor, Executive Management, Directors, Deans, Managers, and Student Representative Council (SRC) members collectively sign the Integrity Pledge, demonstrating a unified front against corruption from the top down.

Integrity: A Cornerstone of National Development

Beyond ZOU’s specific pioneering efforts, Professor Gundani emphasized in his addresses across regional campuses that the integrity initiative is deeply intertwined with Zimbabwe’s broader anti-corruption efforts, including the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) for 2020-2024 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). He quoted former ZACC Commissioner for Legal Affairs, Adv. Jessie Majome, stating, “Corruption is a cancer that eats away at the fabric of our nation. It undermines development, erodes trust, and fuels inequality.” By embracing integrity, ZOU directly contributes to Vision 2030, aiming to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income society.

The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the tangible benefits of integrity, noting that it “builds both personal and professional trust, fosters a positive work environment, where one is respected and valued. It enhances a reputation that attracts customers, partners and talented employees, and in all, leads to long-term success without making shortcuts or compromises to our values.”

The Power of Integrity Committees

Complementing the pledge, Professor Gundani underscored the vital role of integrity committees, of which ZOU boasts a functional one. These committees act as proactive “anti-corruption administrative committee tasked with designing and implementing measures to prevent corruption within the organisation’s sphere of control.”

He explained that the pledge and committees are mutually reinforcing, appealing to the conscience of employees both individually and collectively to “spearhead good ethical practices, strengthen good corporate governance and institutionalisation of corruption prevention and integrity promotion action plans.” ZACC provides essential training and oversight for these committees, ensuring their effectiveness and accountability through quarterly reports.

ZOU’s Enduring Commitment to Ethical Education

The Zimbabwe Open University has been a frontrunner in this national endeavor. Professor Gundani proudly stated, “This was not merely a symbolic gesture but a deep-seated commitment to embedding integrity within the very fabric of our institution.”

He elaborated on how integrity is fundamental to ZOU’s mission as educators, shaping interactions with students, colleagues, and the wider community. “Upholding integrity means being honest in our teaching, transparent in our research, and respectful in our collaborations,” he affirmed, emphasizing the university’s profound responsibility to model these values for its students.

The annual signing ceremony serves as a moment of “reflection, recommitment, and a renewed pledge to uphold the highest standards in everything we do as educational practitioners and administrators.” Quoting motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, Professor Gundani articulated ZOU’s aspiration: “Integrity gives you real freedom because you have nothing to fear since you have nothing to hide.” He concluded by urging all present to make integrity “not a mere buzzword” but “a way of life,” leading to a stronger, more successful university and a more ethical world.

A Call to Action for a Future Defined by Integrity

In a powerful closing, Professor Gundani called upon everyone to embrace the pledge not as a burden, but as a personal and collective commitment to Zimbabwe’s future. “Integrity is not just a word; it is the very foundation upon which trust is built, the catalyst for a positive environment where we feel safe and respected, and the cornerstone of a reputation that attracts excellence,” he passionately declared.

He urged the ZOU community to be “torch bearers of integrity,” inspiring others and demonstrating that a nation free from corruption is “not just a dream, but a tangible reality we are actively creating, together!”

“Integrity is not a destination; it is a journey we embark on today, and every day. Your choices matter. Your actions shape our collective future,” he concluded.

ZACC’s Compliance Officers seized the occasion to issue a broader call to action, urging other higher learning institutions across the nation to emulate ZOU’s proactive and sustained approach. “The fight against corruption cannot be won in isolation; it demands a robust alliance of committed institutions,” they stated, pledging the Commission’s unwavering support for ZOU’s continued efforts. The officers argued that the rationale for signing Integrity Pledges stems from the declaration of zero tolerance as an effective tool to combat corruption. This practice is also common among other member states, such as Zambia, Rwanda, and Japan. Citing the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23), they highlighted sections dealing with malfeasance, including Fraud (Section 136), Bribery (Section 170), Corruptly using a false document (Section 171), Corruptly concealing a transaction from a principal (Section 172), Corruptly concealing from a principal a personal interest in a transaction (Section 173), and Criminal abuse of duty as a public officer (Section 174). These acts are often promoted by a sense of entitlement and informal organizational cultures that thrive outside normal channels.

Present during the signing ceremonies were senior officials from the University, among them Acting Pro Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise Development, Professor Tavonja Njaya, who also doubles as the Chairperson of the ZOU Integrity Committee. Also in attendance were ZOU Regional Campus Directors (Professor C. Majoni – Mash Central, Dr. L. Kadziya – Mash West, Professor R. Mangizvo – Midlands, Dr. A. Maposa – Bulawayo, Dr. D. Gasva – Mat North, Mr. A, Nkala – Mat South, Dr. T. Zinyama – Mash East, and Dr. S. Mwenje – Manicaland), Acting Legal Manager Mr. Tapiwa Kasuso, Risk Manager Ms Zuwai Shumba, Professors, Chairpersons, Regional Programmes Coordinators, Regional Administration Officers, Secretaries, Clerks, and Security Guards (Regional SRC Presidents and their committees). ZACC was represented by Dr. Magiga, Public Education Manager, Mr. E. Mutunami & Mr A. Zinyama (Midlands), Mr. A. Midzi (Matabeleland Provinces), Ms M Pedzai (Masvingo) Mr. N. Viyera (Manicaland), Mr. K. Kajese, and Mr. P. Kamuparira (Compliance and Systems Review Officers).

The ceremonies concluded with attendees signing the pledges, a tangible act reinforcing ZOU’s unwavering leadership and profound commitment to fostering a corruption-resistant culture within Zimbabwe’s educational landscape and beyond.

Integrity Pledge Signing in Pictures across Regional campuses