About us
Who we are
The Zambian Open University (ZAOU) is a private Open and Distance Learning (ODL) University, which was established in 2002 having been registered in November of that year under the Companies Act No. 26 of 1994 of the Laws of Zambia. ZAOU was registered with the then Ministry of Education (MOE) on 23rd December 2004, within the provisions of the University Act No. 11 of 1999 of the Laws of Zambia. ZAOU’s first 369 students were enrolled in January, 2005, in the School of Education and the School of Social Sciences and Law. On 25th March, 2005 the University was formally launched by the late Republican President Mr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa. The founding members of ZAOU recognised the limited number of places at the country’s only two public universities at that time and were committed to increasing access to university education through open and distance learning. They were also encouraged by the government policy that had just been put in place allowing the establishment of private universities.
The Zambian Open University is an institution of high standing both locally and internationally, whose vision is “to be an internationally recognized Open University providing quality education through distance and blended learning”.
The Zambian Open University (ZAOU) is a leading open and distance learning institution in Zambia and abroad. It is an internationally recognized Open University providing quality education through full-time and distance learning. To achieve its strategic objectives, the University uses creative and innovative learning methodologies aimed at reaching diverse constituencies for promoting social and economic development.
Our approach
Our Mission
To provide teacher education at University level to school leavers, primary, and secondary school teachers through distance learning using print and electronic media
To meet the increased demand for professional education in the fields of law and development studies.
To fill any other gaps in the provision of university education not adequately met by other institutions.
Our Vision
Is to be an internationally recognised Open University providing quality education through distance learning.
