ZOU gives back to Rusape community

Post Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Open University Centre for Student Management in Makoni District has started a series of clean-up campaigns and tree planting programmes as efforts to involve the university in community development projects and augment government efforts to protect and conserve the environment intensify. The programmes are being held under the theme “Inclusive approach to Community challenges way forward for development: A healthier, greener environment gives a fresher breather”.

In an interview with The Manica Post during the clean-up campaign in Rusape’s central business District recently Centre for Student Management Student Advisor Getrude Chiparange said the university should be seen ploughing back to the community

“Since our students come from the community, there is need to plough back. We rely upon different communities in a particular province, so ZOU as a regional centre with sub centres across the province should, in a way support the community” Chiparange said

She added: “The people should understand that ZOU does not only provide academic services to the people but also empower people holistically in all spheres of life. So when we are involved in such programmes and when one is educated, then that education must overhaul one’s personality towards the environment.

“One of the key programmes in the Centre for Student Management is to do researches and scholarship activities. We are trying to be humble by educating people outside the classroom”

Environment Management Agency Makoni district environmental officer Lenia Mbira said if universities engaged in environment work, it gave the impression of good things that should be done by all in a society.

“Environmental protection and management is not something that should be trivialized to those who do not have something to do. The Open University has, in its rightful senses decided to take books and pens from the classroom to the street because I’m sure they believe that education can be delivered everywhere where there are people. As the agency we are encouraging other stakeholders and academic institutions to take a leaf from ZOU,” said Mbira

So far Zimbabwe Open University has participated in several community projects, clean up campaigns and tree nursery production in Mutare. Such projects will spread wings to other centres in all the other districts in the province.