The Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) is a State University established in 1999. It offers Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL). The University has eight faculties: The Faculty of Agriculture, the Faculty of Arts, Culture and Heritage Studies, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Commerce, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science, and the Faculty of Technology. The institution has a Higher Degrees Directorate which caters for those students undertaking Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. All Zimbabwe Open University programs are accredited by the national regulator, the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE).