News

A picture of Noleen stood against a plain wall in her OU student nurse uniform

Open University student nurse, Noleen Curran, shortlisted for HSC Student of the Year

Student Nurse and Support Worker in Community Mental Health at the South Eastern Trust, Noleen Curran from Downpatrick was in the running for Student of the Year at the 2022 Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Awards in Belfast.

Her nomination was driven by her intuition, compassion, and listening skills but also her response to dealing with an on-the-job disclosure case. She managed the situation with a professional and empathetic approach, ensuring she upheld the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct.

27th April 2022

University calls for a funding model that supports part-time higher education and a culture of lifelong learning

The Open University in Northern Ireland has welcomed the Department for the Economy’s Skills for a 10x Economy Strategy but says a funding model that works for part-time higher education ‘is essential’.

The Open University, Northern Ireland’s leading provider of flexible, online higher education, has welcomed the Department for the Economy’s Skills for a 10x Economy Strategy published at the end of March.

13th April 2022

an image which days ' 80% of Northern Ireland public sector employees cite L&D as key to job satisfaction

Report reveals flexible learning is key to public sector job satisfaction

The Open University’s new report into public sector skills, Embracing Flexibility: How can Learning & Development service new hybrid working and learning models in the public sector? highlights a desire for more flexibility and learning and development opportunities

One of the largest recent UK wide public sector employee surveys, published in partnership with Public Sector Executive, revealed 8 in 10 public sector employees in Northern Ireland cite learning and development as key to job satisfaction.

11th April 2022

Megan Fearon, Policy Manager, and John D'Arcy, Director of the OU in Ireland, holding a sign reading 'The Future is Flexible'

Calls for the introduction of a Lifelong Learning Bill and increased support for part-time students in new manifesto by The Open University in Northern Ireland

On the 22 March 2022, The Open University launched its vision for the Northern Ireland Assembly. The manifesto, entitled ‘The Future is Flexible’ calls for the embedding of a culture of lifelong learning in society with part-time, flexible higher education at its heart.

21st March 2022

a group of people stand and pose for a photo with graduation gowns on

Over 100 Health Trust Staff celebrate becoming nurses at OU degree ceremony

It has been a difficult few years for those working in our Health Care Trusts across Northern Ireland but Friday 11^th March 2022 will be a day of celebration for over 100 of those staff as they cross the stage as registered nurses at The Open University’s Degree Ceremony in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

These nurses have succeeded in the face of an incredible period of hardship.

15th March 2022

a group of people stand posing for a photo in the graduation robes

Voluntary Methodist Church Archivist receives Honorary Degree

Reverend Robin Roddie, historian, researcher, and archivist has been awarded the Honorary degree of Master of the University by The Open University in Belfast on Friday 11 March 2022.

For nearly twenty-five years, Reverend Roddie has served as the Archivist for the Methodist Historical Society of Ireland, and he has been honoured for this pursuit. Committed to recording, analysing, and promoting accounts of Methodist life in Ireland, the Reverend has made an invaluable contribution to religious and secular histories across this island of Ireland and beyond.

15th March 2022

A turtle swimming under water with the words OpenLearn above it

The Open University's free learning site turns 15 and reaches 100M visitors

The Open University’s (OU) free learning site, OpenLearn is celebrating a milestone after clocking up 100 million visitors in the 15 years since it was launched.

Established as a trailblazing open educational resource, OpenLearn has successfully broken-down barriers to education, with over a thousand courses and 15,000 hours of educational interactives, videos and articles.

In the last two years, over 200,000 visits came from Northern Ireland, bolstered by a surge in traffic during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

11th January 2022

Belfast-based IT company demonstrates proactive approach to skills challenges

The UK skills shortage is being felt across every sector, region and nation of the UK. In Northern Ireland, 69 per cent of employers report a skills shortage in their organisation, with nearly half (46%) saying their biggest challenge over the next five years will be their ability to find staff with the right skills.

4th November 2021

a picture of the world with the words 'Together for our planet'

The Open University champions COP26 with ‘Green Zone’ event exploring culture, citizens and climate

The Open University is hosting a unique event at the 26^th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) as one of several initiatives to mark its commitment to responding to the climate crisis.

1st November 2021

The Lord Mayor, John D'Arcy and Michelle Lavery pose for a photo outside the OU offices

The Lord Mayor of Belfast visits The Open University

The Open University (the OU) has welcomed a visit from the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Kate Nicholl, locally to their Belfast Office.

Speaking on the visit, John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Ireland, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Kate Nicholl to meet with our committed staff and students. Kate has been a wonderful ambassador for Belfast since taking up the post."

19th October 2021

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