Prof Nathi Zongozzi from the Institute for Open and Distance Learning in the College of Education recently contributed to the Gauteng Intergovernmental Oversight and Coordination Workshop hosted by the Oversight Committee on the Premier's Office and the Legislature.
Speaking at the recently held 30th International Council for Distance Education World Conference, Prof Puleng LenkaBula challenged institutions of higher learning to move beyond technocentric models, but to also build ecologies of care that honour diverse knowledge systems, languages and lived realities.
Unisa recently recognised the outstanding achievements of academic staff at its Annual Research and Innovation Awards ceremony, honouring more than 100 academics who have made significant contributions to African research excellence.
The 57th Distance Education Association of Southern Africa (DEASA) conference recently took place at Manna Resort, Zimbabwe. As a member university, Unisa has always played a critical role in open distance learning capacity-building and policy development.
As a postdoctoral fellow in the UNESCO Chair on ODL at Unisa, Dr Mmabaledi Kefilwe Seeletso says you cannot practise something that you have not learnt. You have to adopt a tendency of earning while learning, so that you can appreciate the uniqueness of this philosophy.”
#WomensMonth2020 #IamGenerationEquality
The Institute for Open and Distance Learning (IODL) was established to produce research and to help UNISA strategize on moving from correspondence based distance education to an open education system that harnesses technological affordances for teaching and learning. Therefore, the Institute’s role is to conduct research in ODeL related fields; promote collaborative research initiatives and facilitate capacity development programmes in ODeL research. The IODL, as a driver of ODL related research, seeks to advance research that is responsive to the development agenda of the country and globally relevant.
Prof. Sindile Ngubane
Chair of Department
The Institute for Open and Distance Learning (IODL) at the University of South Africa stands at the forefront of researching the transformation of higher education through open, flexible, and technology enabled learning. As a key pillar of UNISA’s mandate as Africa’s leading open distance e-learning (ODeL) institution, the IODL is not defined merely by its scale, but by its purpose: to expand access, advance equity, and ensure success for learners across South Africa, the continent, and the global community through evidence-based research.
Guided by its vision to be a leader in innovative, inclusive, and student-centered open distance learning, the IODL is committed to supporting high-quality teaching, learning, research, and academic development within the ODeL ecosystem. Its mission is rooted in enabling academic excellence, strengthening digital and pedagogical capabilities, and fostering scholarly communities that respond meaningfully to societal needs.
Through its reach into urban centres, rural communities, and digital learning spaces, the IODL plays a critical role in democratising education. It empowers postgraduate students from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed regardless of geographical, economic, or social barriers. This commitment to access and success lies at the heart of UNISA’s social justice agenda and its contribution to national and continental development.
For academics and professional staff, the IODL is a hub of innovation, scholarly inquiry, and reflective practice. It is a space where open distance pedagogy is continuously interrogated, refined, and reimagined to remain responsive to African realities and global trends. At the IODL, teaching and learning are not static processes, but dynamic, research-informed practices shaped by technology, inclusivity, and critical engagement.
The work of the IODL reverberates far beyond the institution. By strengthening academic development, enhancing digital learning environments, and supporting curriculum innovation, the Institute contributes directly to the quality of graduates produced by UNISA. Every intervention, every programme, and every research output has a ripple effect that touches communities, workplaces, and societies at large.
At UNISA, education is understood not merely as the transfer of knowledge, but as a catalyst for transformation. The IODL embraces this responsibility by championing research that enhances student success, promoting lifelong learning, and supporting academics in delivering relevant, accessible, and future-focused education. Its initiatives in digital learning, open educational resources, assessment innovation, and academic capacity development continue to shape the evolving landscape of higher education.
The Institute’s achievements are reflected in its strategic partnerships, its contribution to institutional policy and practice, and its leadership in advancing open distance e-learning scholarship. Working collaboratively across colleges, support departments, and external stakeholders, the IODL strengthens UNISA’s position as a responsive, socially engaged, and globally recognised university.
The transformation of society begins with the transformation of education. In this mission, the Institute for Open and Distance Learning is a strategic enabler and a driving force. It does not simply support teaching and learning, it cultivates leaders, innovators, and change agents capable of shaping a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.
We warmly welcome you to the Institute for Open and Distance Learning and invite you to be part of this collective journey of transformation, innovation, and impact.
Prof. Sindile Ngubane
Chair of Department
Institute for Open and Distance Learning (IODL)
University of South Africa