155 Open University graduates received their degrees from Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Tim Blackman on Saturday 11 May 2013 at a ceremony in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
At the ceremony, Cork student, Admire Dzingwa who graduated with an MSc in Medical Physics, was awarded the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) prize by Dr Liz Parvin of the Open University, who developed the MSc programme.
Admire achieved a distinction for his MSc, which he undertook over a three year period, whilst working as a Senior Medical Physicist in Cork University Hospital. The course is accredited by IPEM – the professional body for medical physicists and clinical engineers which advances public education in the field – and allowed Admire to improve his proficiency as a Medical Physicist. As part of his course he studied some common diagnostic imaging technologies that are widely used in medicine such as ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, CT and PET. He also studied radiotherapy in great detail – a process widely used for the treatment of cancer.
Admire, who is 41, married and has three children, says “My biggest concern before I started my Open University course was whether I would manage to find the time to study, as I have a busy schedule at work and at home. I had to juggle my study with spending quality time with my family. Once I had rearranged my lifestyle to accommodate my studies, I found the whole experience to be enjoyable.
My family were very supportive. I also obtained much needed moral support from my work colleagues. “
Admire is very positive about the career benefits of undertaking this IPEM accredited MSc with the Open University.
“The course definitely improved my marketability on the jobs landscape. I have not been promoted at my place of work but I have definitely improved my prospects. I am using what I learnt during my course almost on a daily basis at work.”
John D’Arcy, the Director of The Open University in Ireland, said: "A degree ceremony is a very special occasion where students are formally recognised for their achievements in front of family and friends. Studying with the OU requires determination and self-discipline, as students manage their own schedules, often juggling academic work with a regular job and family commitments. We’re proud to celebrate their success on this inspiring day.”
Studying flexibly with the OU is a choice more and more students are making. Over 29,000 Open University students are now under 25, making up 1 in 4 of all its new undergraduates. The OU’s innovative use of technology enables people to study where, when and how they want, fitting with the expectations and lives of OU students. Good tutoring and working with others is a key part of OU learning and all OU courses are designed to be interactive with students switching between books, DVDs, the web, audio CD, peer groups and associate lecturers.
Free learning resources also allow people to explore education before they commit to a full course. OpenLearn offers 11,000 hours of learning materials, including 6,700 hours taken from our undergraduate and postgraduate modules. iTunes U and the dedicated OU channel on YouTube, provide bite-sized teaching clips and enables the sharing of learning experiences.
Pictured: Dr Arlëne Hunter, Head of Department – Environment, Earth and Ecosystems at The Open University, graduate and prize-winner Admire Dzingwa, Dr Liz Parvin, Department of Physical Sciences, The Open University and John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Ireland.
4 June 2013