The Open University

Photograph of graduates at OU degree ceremony

Sarah Brown and Sally Magnusson among those honoured at Edinburgh ceremony

31 October 2016

Global campaigner Sarah Brown and broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson were among those receiving awards at Open University (OU) degree ceremony in Edinburgh. Their awards were conferred alongside 560 graduating students and fellow honorary graduates Tessa Ransford OBE (posthumously), poet and founding director of the Scottish Poetry Library and Tommy Whitelaw, dementia and care campaigner […]

Photograph of a large group of people celebrating

Happy 10th birthday OpenLearn

31 October 2016

This year, the OU’s free learning portal OpenLearn celebrates its 10th anniversary, hot on the heels of welcoming its 40 millionth visitors. We explore OpenLearn’s continuing success and take a look at the changing popularity of courses. In 2006 The Open University was the first UK university to make course materials freely available online in […]

Students offered additional learning support following OU operational difficulties

24 October 2016

The Open University has announced to its student body that it is putting in place additional learning support to help them through their studies following the operational difficulties of a new policy and system designed to increase access to tutorials. The introduction of the new tutorial delivery policy has been accompanied by a number of […]

Standing L-R: John D'Arcy, Nation Director of The Open University, John Addy, Assistant Director, Professor Kevin Hetherington, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Heather Laird, Assistant Director, Simon Gregg, Student Services Manager Front Row: L-R Tim Wheeler, Doctor of the University and Catherine Bell CBE, Master of the University.

Singer Tim Wheeler joins 277 students for degree ceremony in Belfast

24 October 2016

Singer, songwriter and Alzheimer’s campaigner Tim Wheeler was honoured by The Open University (OU) with the award of Doctor of the University at a ceremony in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on Friday 21 October. Mr Wheeler had his award conferred alongside 277 graduating students – from all walks of life, of all ages and backgrounds and […]

OU-led study will focus on ‘urgent’ need to assess impact of outreach to adult learners in HE

20 October 2016

The Open University (OU) is to lead a new research project to determine the best ways universities are reaching out to mature learners, particularly those in under-represented groups. The six-month project, commissioned by the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) will address a critical gap in Widening Participation policy: sector understanding of outreach aimed, not at […]

University honours for actress Helen Griffin and campaigner Shahien Taj

19 October 2016

Two leading figures in Welsh culture and society have received honorary degrees from The Open University. Actress and comedian Helen Griffin, and charity leader and campaigner Shahien Taj, were honoured with the degree of Doctor of The Open University at a ceremony in Cardiff on Friday (14 October). The honorary graduates collected their doctorates alongside […]

OU honours campaigners of social equality

13 October 2016

The Open University has honoured independent filmmaker, Professor Franny Armstrong, and campaigner for social equality and justice, Ms Ceri Goddard, for their contribution to society by awarding each an honorary degree. Professor Franny Armstrong Professor Armstrong is one of the most important and innovative independent filmmakers in Britain. Her films focus on issues of public […]

Prof Mark Fenton O'Creevy with Dr Etienne Wenger-Trayner at the Gateshead Ceremony

Social learning specialist honoured at OU degree ceremony

11 October 2016

The Open University has honoured social learning theorist Dr Etienne Wenger-Trayner for his exceptional contribution to society by awarding him an honorary degree. A globally-recognised thought leader in the field of social learning theory, communities of practice and their application to organisations, Dr Wenger-Trayner’s work influences both theory and practice in a wide range of […]

OU backs report saying social mobility policy must embrace adult learners

10 October 2016

The Open University’s Vice-Chancellor Peter Horrocks CBE welcomes a Universities UK report out on Monday October 10 calling for older learners to feature in government policy on social mobility. The new report says that to leave mature students out of the picture, when considering social mobility, risks effectively excluding a large proportion of the population. It states: […]

The Open University Chancellor Asa Briggs addressing the audience at a graduation ceremony.

OU pays tribute to Asa Briggs, former OU Chancellor

5 October 2016

Members of the OU community, past and present, attended yesterday’s thanksgiving service for the late Asa Briggs. The former Vice-Chancellor Sir John Daniel, representing the OU and a close family friend, paid tribute to Asa’s remarkable contribution to the OU and announced the new Asa Briggs Chair in History. All the speakers brought out just […]

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Category: Around the OU