The UNESCO Chair on ODL seeks to promote an integrated and co-ordinated system of research, research training, production and dissemination of knowledge on ODL at Unisa. The Chair endeavours to be responsive to the needs of South Africans by (a) cultivating and promoting an institutional ethos, scholastic culture and educational experience in an environment that is conducive to intellectual curiosity, a critical attitude and tolerance of diverse views, and (b) undertaking research, knowledge production and dissemination guided by integrity, quality and rigour. The Chair seeks to create a co-ordinated, vibrant, inclusive and sustainable ODL research culture within the framework of the UNITWIN/UNESCO programmes. This shall entail co-supervision of postgraduate (master’s and doctoral) students with ODL practitioner partner institutions, and bilateral and multilateral collaborative research partnerships.