Dear  

Welcome to this edition of Open Outlook which shares recent student success stories, including highlights from our degree ceremonies. 

We welcomed new students this month and we're open for registrations for courses starting in February, including Part-Time Fee Grant applications to cover the cost of study for eligible students. 

We're enjoying cosy autumnal nights in watching new OU/BBC co-produced series exploring Scotland's past and present. 

I hope you enjoy finding out more in this issue. 

Best wishes
Susan Stewart, Director, The Open University in Scotland

Celebrating success

Graduates celebrate OU degree success in Glasgow

700 graduates crossed the stage at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall last month to collect their degrees from The Open University. 

Half of the graduates at the ceremonies were the first in their families to study at higher education level. 30% of graduates at the ceremonies declared a disability and 10% had entered the OU without standard university-level qualifications.

They were joined by Raza Sadiq (pictured above left), founder of Glasgow's Active Life Club, who received an OU honorary degree for his contribution to community and inclusion.

Among the graduates were MSP Liam Kerr, husband and wife David and Amy Wingar (pictured above right) and Zimbabwean refugee Vitalis Mumbure. Vitalis wanted to change people’s lives by contributing positively to his community, and so chose an OU degree in Social Work. He shares his story in the short video below. 

Latest news

New BBC/OU programmes explore Scotland's past and present

Two new TV series recently transmitted by the BBC were co-produced by the OU.

Union with David Olusoga and Scotland's Sacred Islands with Ben Fogle were supported by expertise from OU academic consultants from Scotland. 

David Olusoga traces the events, the people and the forces that transformed four separate nations into the United Kingdom. Ben Fogle travels across Scotland’s remotest islands, discovering that their spiritual legacy still resonates today.

Both series are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. They are accompanied with a range of free learning resources on the OU Connect site.

Partnerships open up opportunities for learners across Scotland

The Open University in Scotland has recently signed an articulation agreement with the Scottish Qualifications Authority which will allow learners from across the country who have completed Higher National Certificates and diplomas to progress onto OU degree programmes at advanced levels.

We have also signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Trust of Scotland, formalising our agreement to support their staff development programme with enhanced learning opportunities. 

Event highlights

Maths in Motion: Pendulums and Patterns at Maths Week Scotland

A free interactive exhibition hosted by The Open University brought together hands-on activities, practical demonstrations, and mathematical puzzles for all ages.

The exhibition was held at the National Museum of Scotland in September as part of Maths Week Scotland. It was accompanied by online interactive sessions for schools in code-breaking and the mathematics of tiles.

There is a wide range of free learning about maths on the OU's free learning site OpenLearn, including an Everyday Maths course and a Code Break app.

Spotlight

New OU in Scotland Depute Directors

We have welcomed two new Depute Directors at the OU in Scotland; Jane Grant for External Engagement and Partnerships and Theresa Valtin for Marketing and Communications. 

Jane is a board member at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry. She brings expertise and experience ranging from academic publishing and knowledge exchange, to business development consultancy, from across a wide range of sectors. 

Theresa was most recently Head of Strategy and Communications at Revenue Scotland. She joins us with a wide breadth of experience in marketing and communications, including for the higher education, public services and culture sectors. 

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its secondary activity of credit broking.