The Open University

‘Towering figure’ and former OU Chancellor, Asa Briggs, dies

15 March 2016

The OU is sad to hear of the passing of Asa Briggs, who served as the Chancellor of The Open University from 1978 to 1994. He died today (15 March) at his home in Lewes, aged 94. He played a significant role in the development of the University and remained a great friend and supporter […]

Tributes pour in for Professor Doreen Massey

14 March 2016

It was with great sadness that colleagues and students heard the news that Doreen Massey, Emeritus Professor in the Social Sciences Faculty, died on Friday 11 March. Doreen was an eminent and pioneering intellectual, who received many awards and accolades at the highest level throughout her career. Doreen developed an understanding of social space as […]

50 years since the dawn of the ‘University of the Air’

25 February 2016

Fifty years ago today, a government White Paper was published, which introduced the concept of The Open University (OU). Originally called the ‘University of the Air’, the OU was the realisation of the dream of one person; Jennie Lee. As the Arts Minister at the time, Jennie Lee was the driving force behind the OU, battling fierce […]

The Prosecutors: behind the scenes with Julian Webb

19 February 2016

A unique OU/BBC documentary series, which goes behind the scenes to reveal how our Crown Prosecution Service really works, begins on BBC Four next week. ‘The Prosecutors: Real Crime and Punishment‘, the first episode of which is on Wednesday 24 February 2016 at 21:00, invites audiences to experience the challenging, and often harrowing environment in which […]

OU Vice-Chancellor Peter Horrocks at Amity University in India.

OU strengthens ties with education in India

18 February 2016

A university group in India is calling on the expertise of The Open University to help deliver quality online education. The new agreement with Amity University will see its “world-leading expertise and learning innovation deployed for the benefit of students in India,” says the OU’s Steve Hill. Amity is a leading educational group in India with […]

Big Data is a big deal

12 February 2016

“Big data is a UK success story*” was one of the key messages about the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Big Data Dilemma inquiry report published today (12 February 2016). The Open University, an institution at the forefront of developing applications for big data, has welcomed the report but recognises there are many […]

Documentary on personal story of a choice to die

9 February 2016

An observational documentary, co-produced by The Open University and BBC, follows the journey of a man considering assisted suicide. Simon is a successful businessman with a loving family and large circle of friends. His world falls apart in January 2015 when he is diagnosed with an aggressive form of Motor Neurone Disease and given two […]

Climbing up a mountain - Widening Participation

‘We wouldn’t be able to do it without the OU’

4 February 2016

“Three quarters of widening participation students say that without the Open University, they would not have been able to attend higher education at all” That was one of many stark messages delivered by Peter Horrocks, the Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, during his speech at the Widening Participation in UK Higher Education forum today (4 […]

Lifelong learning is the answer for addressing UK skills gaps

2 February 2016

A government plan to fix the foundations of the British economy and boost productivity has failed to acknowledge the benefits of lifelong learning. The Government’s ‘productivity plan’ was published last year, focusing on how to increase UK productivity and growth over the next decade and create a more prosperous nation. But a new report examining […]

Adult education and lifelong learning vital to UK economy

2 February 2016

“Adult education and lifelong learning have a vital role in strengthening the UK’s economy,” and “the Government recognises that there is more to be done to ensure that the UK has the skills and flexibility it needs to grow in the global economy”. That’s according to Baroness Natalie Evans, the UK Government’s Higher Education Spokesperson, […]

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Category: Around the OU