ZOU certifies 78 AI educators

THE Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) has certified 78 educators under its pioneering Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Educators Programme, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to modernise education and align teaching practices with Vision 2030 and the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model.

The graduation ceremony, held in Harare yesterday, showcased the growing role of artificial intelligence in transforming classrooms while reaffirming the central role of teachers in the learning process.

Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, said AI should be viewed as a support tool that enhances the work of educators rather than replacing them.

He said the programme is in line with Zimbabwe's broader modernisation agenda and national development aspirations under Vision 2030.

"AI is a technological force for socio-economic transformation," said Prof Tagwira, highlighting its potential to improve lesson planning, personalise learning experiences and create more inclusive classrooms.

He stressed that despite advances in technology, educators remain indispensable in nurturing responsible and ethical citizens.

"The role of the teacher remains central in shaping responsible, ethical, and productive citizens, a principle rooted in Ubuntu," he said.

ZOU Vice Chancellor, Professor Emeritus Paul Gundani, said the university remains committed to producing graduates who are not only technologically competent but also guided by strong ethical values.

He described artificial intelligence as a powerful tool capable of driving inclusive development when implemented responsibly and in line with Zimbabwe's cultural values.

"Developing a digitally fluent population is essential for leveraging AI's potential for inclusive growth and sustainable development," said Prof Gundani.

"AI is a tool of empowerment and a catalyst for inclusive growth and a guardian of our cultural values and ethics."

He said the programme reflects the objectives of the Zimbabwe National AI Strategy, which seeks to harness emerging technologies to drive national development while safeguarding ethical standards.

One of the graduates, educator Gift Dumbarumwe, said the training programme helped him overcome concerns about artificial intelligence and transformed the way he approaches teaching.

"Before this course, I even feared that AI might one day leave me jobless . . . my students were always ahead digitally, and that gap tampered with my confidence," he said.

Dumbarumwe said the programme equipped educators with practical skills that can significantly improve efficiency in schools.

"We learned how AI tools can dramatically reduce time spent on lesson planning, report generation, and student performance monitoring.

"I left not just with new knowledge, but with confidence to experiment and adapt AI tools in my own teaching," he said.

The AI for Educators Programme is expected to contribute to the development of a digitally empowered teaching workforce capable of integrating emerging technologies into learning environments while maintaining the human-centred values that underpin Zimbabwe's education system.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries across the globe, education stakeholders say initiatives such as the ZOU programme are critical in ensuring that Zimbabwean educators are equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.