5 ways to celebrate the OU’s 50th

Posted on 21 April 2019 • Around the OU

On Tuesday 23^rd April it will be 50 years since The Open University was awarded its Royal Charter back in 1969. And it’s been a blast.

Want to get involved with the #OU50 celebrations? Here’s how:

1) Wish us a happy birthday on social media*

Help us celebrate by wishing us a happy birthday on social media using the hashtag #OU50 – the more creative, the better.

And if you’re stuck for inspiration, here’s some help.

2) Share your story or memories*

Whether you’re student, alumni, staff, partner, supporter or just like a celebration, we’d love to hear from you. Share your OU story on social media using the hashtag #OU50 or tag us into your posts. What’s your best OU memory? What it is about the OU that makes you proud to be part of it? How has the OU helped you? What did it feel like to graduate and how did you celebrate?

*Prizes will be dished out on an ad hoc basis on Tuesday 23rd April for the most creative/inspiring birthday messages and stories across social media channels.

3) Invest in some OU50 swag

Head over to the OU Students Shop to get your hands on some 50^th anniversary swag – from mugs to fridge magnets to recycled pencils and cuddly bears.

4) Share our anniversary photography

The Open University is marking its 50th anniversary this month by telling its remarkable story through a special collection of new photography. OU students and graduates including a prisoner turned academic, a research pioneer in moon exploration and a soldier who studied in the field with waterproof books, all feature in the new collection by renowned British photographer Chris Floyd.

Browse the collection, read the inspiring stories, take a look back at our archive photography from the last five decades and share the wonderful stories far and wide.

5) Add your name to the tree of learning

A ‘Tree of Learning’ sculpture is being created and installed at The Open University’s Walton Hall campus later this year. It will burst into life with the addition of hundreds of individually personalised gold-coloured OU logo-shaped shields hung as leaves on the tree.

To get your name on the tree you just need to make a donation to our 50^th Anniversary Scholarships Fund to ensure carers and more vulnerable people who would otherwise not get a chance to study, get the opportunity to do so with the OU on any of our courses. Find out more. 

To find out more about the OU50 celebrations throughout the year, visit the website.