Established in 1999,[2] ZOU is the only distance education university in the country that offers a unique opportunity for students to earn as they learn.

In 2024, ZOU celebrated 25 years of unlocking human capital potential through open and distance learning.

The natural environment can support higher population levels only through technological progress, which requires continued investment in human resources development.

Since 1980, GOZ (the Government of Zimbabwe) has aimed at creating an education system that would address the socio-economic needs of the country.

[4] Based on these recommendations the Centre for Distance Education (CDE) of the University of Zimbabwe was formed in 1993.

[12] ZOU's website states its mission is "to empower people through life long learning, thereby enabling them to realise their full potential in an affordable and flexible manner while executing their various endeavours".

The First lady, Mrs Mnangagwa urged all women, young and old to go back to school in order to benefit their families and communities.

[18] The Vice Chancellor of ZOU, Professor Paul Gundani[19] and his team embraced the programme and were ready to offer their guidance to the benefiting women.

[21] According to Mr Mhlotswa, the Deputy Librarian of the Zimbabwe Open University, the course on agriculture offered by ZOU has contributed significantly to the land reform programme in the country.