The AAOU Inter-University Staff Exchange Fellowship programme was introduced in 1997. The programme aims to foster the exchange of knowledge and experience in open and distance education and enhance the capacities of member institutions through mutual assistance and partnership. Any AAOU member institution (the donor) may contribute to the programme by offering one or more short-term fellowship(s) to staff from other member institutions (the recipients) to spend up to one month at the donor institution in order to receive training, carry out an academic exchange or undertake a collaborative research project. All member institutions are welcome to participate in this capacity-building initiative.

STOU regularly participates in the program both as a host and a fellow.