Michelle Donelan, Universities Minister, came to The Open University to learn how it designs and produces its high quality distance learning curriculum and to hear the needs of its learners.
Joined by Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North she was welcomed to the University by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Blackman.
Meeting students from across England, she heard about the challenges and barriers they have faced accessing higher education and how they have overcome them through part-time distance learning study at the OU and the positive outcomes they have achieved.
Following the discussion with students, the Minister toured the OU’s world class online OpenSTEM lab with Professor Nick Braithwaite, Executive Dean for the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The OpenSTEM lab connects students to state-of-the-art learning equipment over the internet, enabling them to conduct research from anywhere in the world.
Welcoming the Minister to The Open University, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Blackman, said:
“The Open University occupies a unique position in UK Higher Education. The Minister’s visit was a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the exceptional quality of our courses, and to hear from our students what a difference the OU has made to their lives.”
