The Open University

How the age of steam changed lives forever

28 July 2016

We’re living in an age of massive technological change, yet more than 100 years ago the introduction of the steam railways caused an equally seismic change to life in Victorian Britain. Decades later, the enduring appeal of this golden age persists and is the subject of a new six-part BBC/OU co-production. Full Steam Ahead explores […]

Vice-Chancellor’s reassurance welcomed by International Community Network

21 July 2016

In the week that has seen Lord Nicholas Stern, President of The British Academy calling for “clear reassurance” to be given to EU researchers in the UK of their future in Britain, at a House of Lords Science and Technology Committee. A staff-organized Network has been announced at The Open University to provide support for […]

Praise for ground-breaking OU/BBC series following refugees

12 July 2016

Last night saw the first episode of a new BBC2 series which follows the journeys of 70 refugees as they aim to leave conflict or persecution and make their way into Europe. Exodus: Our Journey to Europe was produced in partnership with The Open University, with three leading OU academics acting as consultants on the […]

‘Urgent action’ needed to protect adult education

6 July 2016

New report sponsored by The Open University calls for cohesive national strategy to protect adult education The first report commissioned by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Adult Education, sponsored by The Open University and conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IER) at Warwick University, has called for a cohesive national strategy for adult education. […]

OU Vice-Chancellor: Brexit vote highlights social inequality

30 June 2016

The Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Peter Horrocks, has used a keynote speech to highlight a link between levels of degree attainment and how parts of the UK voted in the referendum. Addressing the Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE) Annual Conference in Belfast, Mr Horrocks called on the government to address the “national […]

EU referendum: initial response from The Open University

24 June 2016

Following the vote to leave the EU, the Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Peter Horrocks, has highlighted the important role the OU continues to play. While it will take some time for the full details and potential impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU to become clear, Mr Horrocks has written to staff : “Such […]

OU urges focus on skills for older workers

21 June 2016

The Open University has issued a call to businesses to ensure their workforce has the skills they need to remain competitive throughout all stages of their careers. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today Programme, the OU’s Director of External Engagement Steve Hill told listeners that, with around a third of the UK workforce aged […]

Bettany at Berlin Wall - East-side Gallery

Meet the geniuses of the modern world in OU/BBC programme

16 June 2016

Three of the greatest minds of the modern world are explored in a three-part series, presented by broadcaster and historian, Bettany Hughes. Broadcast on BBC Four at 21:00 from Thursday 16 June 2016, Genius of the Modern World considers the lives of three men born in a 19th century world – a period dominated by […]

“Learning is a lifelong experience” Sir David Cannadine tells OU graduates

10 June 2016

One of the UK’s leading historians, Sir David Cannadine, has told OU graduates that the university has “irrevocably transformed higher education for the better” as he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at a ceremony in Manchester today. Sir David joined more than 250 OU students collecting their qualifications at Manchester’s Bridgwater Hall, alongside social justice […]

Universities Minister highlights importance of lifetime learning

10 June 2016

The Universities and Science Minister, Jo Johnson MP, has used a keynote speech to highlight the importance of life-long access to higher education. Addressing the annual conference of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) at London’s Regent’s University, Mr Johnson said that “the student journey can only be regarded as a success if it is […]

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Category: Around the OU