Within days of the first moon landings, in 1969, The Open University was opened by Lord Crowther who said, ‘we start on this task, in this very week, when the Universe has opened’. In February, a robotic lander named Odysseus touched down on the moon for the first time in fifty-two years. The difference this time is that this feat was not accomplished by NASA but rather a small commercial aerospace company, Intuitive Machines, in collaboration with Space X.
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While these giant leaps for mankind are important, positive and global in nature, they are irregular and sporadic - in stark contrast to the constancy of The Open University in discharging its mission since it received its Royal Charter in 1969. Over the decades the OU has continually acted as an enabling beacon of hope and possibility at the level of the individual. I joined the University last December and someone asked me recently – ‘do you feel like you’ve landed on the moon?’ If that means do I see the world differently from here, do I have a new perspective on the importance of making a difference and an even greater determination to create possibility - then the answer is yes.
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Professor Mark Durkin
Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Law
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Celebrating Charter Day 2024 |
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Marking 55 years since the OU received its Royal Charter
As referenced in Professor Mark Durkin's introduction above, 23 April 2024 marks 55 years since The Open University received its Royal Charter. Ahead of this important anniversary next month, we are delighted to share details of two very special awards recently bestowed upon your University.
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The Queen presents the OU with Queen’s Anniversary Prize
The OU has been presented with a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education by Her Majesty The Queen at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.
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Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Blackman and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), Professor Nick Braithwaite, were presented with the award from Her Majesty The Queen.
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Open University celebrates Gold rating in first ever TEF entry
At the end of last year, The Open University won an overall Gold rating on its first entry into the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), having received a Gold for student outcomes and a Silver for student experience. The TEF encourages and recognises high-quality teaching and student outcomes in higher education. A Gold accolade is bestowed only if a higher education institution can consistently deliver outstanding teaching and learning outcomes for its students.
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Students use NASA telescope to identify an underachieving black hole
An international team of students, including a PhD student from the OU, have revealed that a brilliant supermassive black hole is not living up to expectations in a new study using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. The study revealed that although the supermassive black hole is responsible for high levels of radiation and powerful jets, this giant black hole is not as influential as many of its counterparts in other galaxies.
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Image: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Nottingham/H. Russell et al.; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk
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OU’s pain tracking device, PainPad, wins at the Inaugural MK STEM awards
The Open University and Milton Keynes University Hospital PainPad team have been named the winners of the Changemaker/Lightbulb Award at the MK STEM awards which took place on 29 February. The PainPad is a new and efficient way for patients to conduct more frequent and accurate pain readings through the device.
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Left to right: Professor Blaine Price, Professor Oliver Pearce, Dr Daniel Gooch
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OU space researchers awarded £2 million grant supporting the future human exploration of Mars
Space scientists from The Open University have been awarded a £2 million grant from the UK Space Agency to develop detector technology that will contribute to a new imaging instrument for Mars, as part of the International Mars Ice Mapper mission.
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OU professor urges organisations to consider more supportive policies for the effects of menopause in the workplace
On International Women’s Day earlier this month, Jo Brewis, Professor of People and Organisations at The Open University, spoke to the OU Business School about her latest work and gave insight into the field of menopause in the workplace.
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Open University launches ‘Challenge Us!’ competition to tackle most pressing societal challenges
The Open University is inviting UK charities to join them in addressing society’s most pressing challenges. The Challenge Us! competition aims to bridge the gap between OU researchers, businesses in Milton Keynes and charities from across the UK, encouraging collaboration that will tackle real-world problems.
The competition runs until Wednesday 15 May 2024.
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Two OU/BBC co-productions win recognition at key film awards
The Open University’s Broadcasts and Partnerships team is celebrating after two OU/BBC co-productions won accolades at the Broadcast Awards in the heart of London’s Mayfair recently.
The event was staged at Park Lane’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House where it was revealed that ‘Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland’ and ‘Inside Our Autistic Minds’, won at the prestigious Broadcast Awards.
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‘With the OU you can grow academically and professionally at the same time’
If you received a copy of our OpenMinds magazine last month, you may recognise Open University Psychology graduate Andrew Newlands who was our cover star. Andrew is the founder and Managing Director of Monty Bojangles, the award-winning chocolatiers taking the confectionery market by storm. Having already scooped the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise, Andrew’s brand of fantastical fun has captured the imagination of chocolate lovers across the UK and beyond. Andrew reflects on how OU study provided both sanctuary and inspiration as he developed his multi-million-pound business. Read Andrew's story here. Andrew will be joining us as a speaker at this year's OpenMinds Live (please see below).
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15% discount available exclusively for OU alumni
As a member of the OU Alumni Association, we are delighted to share an exclusive promotion code with you for Monty Bojangles.
Follow the link below and use code MONTYOU15 to get 15% off a 2 x 150g gift pack. Ten delicious flavours are available. Valid until 10 April 2024.
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OpenMinds Live 2024
Join us for an exclusive online Open University alumni event, filled with fascinating speakers and expert academics from across your University – OpenMinds Live. This event will bring to life some of the stories in the latest OpenMinds magazine in an exciting live event.
There is plenty to look forward to in what promises to be a truly fascinating afternoon where we share some of the projects, research, and heartfelt stories from across our OU family.
We are delighted to advise Andrew Newlands (above) will be joining us as a speaker at this event along with Kate Mosse CBE, award-winning author, performer, essayist, playwright and campaigner.
Wednesday 24 April 2024, 12:00 - 13:15 (BST)
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Violence, women and the law: an unfinished story
In her Inaugural Lecture, Olga Jurasz, Professor of Law in the OU’s Faculty of Business & Law, will explore the uneasy relationship between violence, law and women’s lives using three examples: conflict-related sexual violence, online violence against women and the impact that withdrawal of rights and laws has on violence they experience.
Thursday 9 May 2024, 13:00 - 14:00 (BST)
Online or in-person at Berrill Theatre, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
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Keep learning with the OU |
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You only need a few hours a week to study a short course or microcredential with The Open University. Choose from a range of subjects that can help you build new skills, discover a new hobby, or give your career a boost through continued professional development.
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Free places on microcredentials
Supported by the Scottish Funding Council Upskilling Fund, learners based in Scotland may be eligible to join a microcredential for free.
Microcredentials are professional development short courses, created by world-class OU academics and with many endorsed by leading industry partners. They allow you to boost your CV, quickly build in-demand career skills and knowledge and get ahead.
Courses are available in a variety of subject areas, such as Leadership and Management, Computing and IT, Climate Change, Teaching and more. They take 10-12 weeks to complete, with 10-13 hours of study per week.
Applications close on Sunday 19 May 2024.
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Start your own business
Gain the knowledge and practical skills to turn your small business ambitions into reality. Created by experts from The Open University’s triple-accredited Business School, this course will help you to develop your business idea into a commercial proposition that is supported by a viable business plan. You’ll discover ways to inject creativity and innovation into your business idea, learn to leverage your network opportunities and identify the financial implications of a new business idea.
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Careers and Employability Services at The Open University
If you're a new member of the OU's Alumni Association, did you know the OU Careers and Employability Services are here to help you explore your options, plan and work towards your career or personal goals and support you with searching and applying for opportunities? Support is available for up to three years after you graduate.
If you completed your studies with us over three years ago, we still have lots of information that can be accessed without an OU student login. You can get help with your CV and preparing for job interviews, find out the range of careers your degree can lead you to or even increase your career confidence.
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If you don’t follow us on social media, please do! Just click on the icons below and join our online conversations. Your contributions help inspire the next generation of OU students and spur current students on to get to that well-deserved graduation day.
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Have you visited your alumni website recently? If not, why not have a look today? Here you will find information on events, downloadable versions of all of our fantastic magazines and ways to keep in touch.
Here's a reminder of your PI number if you would like to register:
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We would love to know what inspired you to become a student. Did you have any extraordinary moments while studying? Has completing your qualification changed your life or helped you discover a new self-confidence?
We want to hear from all OU alumni of different ages and experiences, identities and backgrounds, diverse ethnicities and cultures, abilities and disabilities, mental and physical health conditions and intersectionalities.
Please get in touch and share your story with the rest of the OU community.
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The OU Students Association shop |
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Time to treat yourself?
Our OU Students Association Shop has a range of OU merchandise for you to enjoy and proudly own as one of our alumni, from clothing, accessories, home and leisure, to stationery and jewellery. Why not have a look for yourself?
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The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our latest privacy policy at open.ac.uk/privacy sets out how the Development Office obtains, manages, uses and protects your data.
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