Open University2016

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR GRADUATES

21 OCTOBER 2016 BELFAST

Belfast Telegraph l OCTOBER 24 2016

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The Open University: Realising the power of part-time higher education

by John D’Arcy, National Director of The Open University in Northern Ireland

Jackie D’Arcy, Tim Wheeler, Doctor of the University and John D’Arcy, Nation Director of The Open University

O

n Friday 21st October 2016, 277 graduates crossed the stage at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast at The Open University’s degree ceremony. All those remarkable individuals have one thing in common – they dreamed, they believed and they succeeded in achieving their educational goals with The Open University. I would like to offer a huge congratulations to all of them.

The Open University has been increasing access to education since 1971. That’s over four decades of enabling people, regardless of their previous educational attainment or personal circumstances, to fulfil their potential and transform their lives.

The Open University has been doing this by offering people the opportunity to study part-time and by using cutting edge technology and a range of flexible teaching methods, backed up by worldclass research to inform curriculum. All that is needed from our students is a desire and a commitment to learn, something which is evident in the hundreds of thousands of people who have earned their qualifications with The Open University since its formation in 1969. Here in Northern Ireland, where we have been voted the top university here for student satisfaction for 12 years running by our students, over 40,000 people have studied with us to date.

The Open University is a popular choice for many people who wish to enter higher education for many different reasons. The flexible, part-time, online higher education that we provide enables people to study alongside other important commitments in their lives such as work, family or caring responsibilities. We also provide a range of support for students with disabilities, and for those students who live outside of our main towns and cities and who cannot easily access a university campus, our distance-learning methods are easily accessible

Catherine Bell CBE, Master of the University, and Heather Laird, Assistant Director of The Open University – from virtual classrooms to personal study apps, in addition to some local face-to-face tutorials. Distance learning doesn’t mean you are on your own however; our team of support staff are only a phone call away.

Nearly three quarters of our students fit their studies around their jobs – often on courses that help them develop in their current post or gain the skills needed to access new employment opportunities. It also helps that OU qualifications are highly regarded by employers – focus, determination and hard work are the hallmark qualities of Open University graduates.

Over half of our students here also receive financial support towards their studies.

If on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits, students may be able to apply for grants or financial support towards module fees or the additional costs of study.

This is a huge incentive for people to engage with higher education and in the next academic year, we look forward to the introduction of part-time loans for students who are not

entitled to all, or any, of the grant. We hope this will be a significant catalyst to encourage more people to develop their skills through the OU. If you know of anyone interested in studying with us, I would encourage them to come along to our Open Week taking place from 7th-11th November in our Belfast office at 110 Victoria Street. Call the Belfast office on 02890 323722 for more information.

Here at The Open University we truly believe that there should be no barrier to learning. Each and every one of our graduates of 2016 have shown that it is possible to achieve your ambitions in your educational journey, no matter what. So congratulations once again – you deserve it!

Standing L-R: John D’Arcy, Nation Director of The Open University, John Addy, Assistant Director, Professor Kevin Hetherington, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Heather Laird, Assistant Director, Simon Gregg, Student Services Manager Front Row: L-R Tim Wheeler, Doctor of the University and Catherine Bell CBE, Master of the University.

OCTOBER 24 2016 l Belfast Telegraph

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY | 3

Andrea McGonigle, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Open from Limavady and Rachel Black, Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology from Bangor.

Joseph McMonagle, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business Studies with Environment pictured with dad Joe, mum Carmel and Amanda Byrnes from Derry

Mike and Dawn Dawson, MBA with son Matthew and daughter Tara

Gina Leiva-Doyle, Diploma of Higher Education in Humanities with husband Edward from Dublin/California

Declan Duffy, Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Design and Innovation with Breige, Victoria and Patrick

Gerard Norwood, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Mathematics pictured with Joan Keating, Stella and Caoimhe Norwood from Ballycastle

Darrin Paul and Julie Mercer from Bangor celebrating their graduation Photographs by Elaine Hill

Belfast Telegraph l OCTOBER 24 2016

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Listed below are the names of those graduates who have successfully completed qualifications with The Open University and who have been able to attend the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, on Friday, October 21, 2016, in order of full classification.

HIGHER DEGREES Doctor of Philosophy Caitriona O’Rourke, for a Thesis entitled ‘Development of Novel, Robust 3D CNS Tissue Models for Neurobiological Studies and Drug Discovery’

Master of Arts in Education Kyla Black Yvonne McCourt

Master of Business Administration Dawn Dawson Peter Foley Mark Grant Eithne McDonnell

Master of Business Administration (Technology Management) Fergal Smyth

Master of Education Siobhan Mullin

Master of Education (Leadership and Management) Laura Josephine McAleer

Master of Science in Earth Science Merit Liam Gerard McNamara

Master of Science in Environmental Management Deirdre Gavin

Master of Science in Mathematics Merit Kieran Hughes Master of Science in Medical Physics With Distinction Paul King Master of Science in Software Development Gareth Lewis

HONOURS DEGREES Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies Michael Atkinson Emily Brown Kevin Carney Paula Cassidy Diane Gibb Denver Grieshaber Gavin Hutton Derek Hyndman Joanne Kennedy Ross McEvoy Catherine McKeown Thomas Naude Alfred Chapitauko Phiri Reyaan Uys Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies with Economics Brian O’Corrbui

Presentation of

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies with Environment Joseph McMonagle Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies with Law Natalie Jayne Aspin Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies with Spanish Zambila Sima Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Childhood and Youth Studies Conna Archibald Kelly Grimley Rhonda McAllister Caitlin O’Hanlon Valerie Rogers Lyndsey Woods Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Classical Studies Reginald Joseph Friddle Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Combined Social Sciences Amy Chapman Brown Susanne Diplacito

Louise Gaughran, BA (Hons) in English Literature with mum Sharon Macindoe from Killarney

Mark Grant, Masters of Business Administration

Catherine McBroom, Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing with mum Elaine and dad Garfield from Portadown

Patrick Morris, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) w Olivia from Belfast

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Combined Social Sciences (Sociology) Rory Spackman Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Design and Innovation Lisa Marie McGrory Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Years Claire Cross Bernardine Donohoe Joanne Leetch Bachelor of Arts in Early Years Alison Easlea Andrea Kirk Sharon McFerran Wendy Somers Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Language and Literature Paula Susan Blake Lisa Cameron Lorna Dunlop Nuala Jessie Greenwood Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature Grace Campbell Louise Gaughran Jacqueline Mary Goodall Geraldine Hagans John Knox Zoe Lloyd-Williams Philip McCaugherty Donal O’Dowd Catherine Padovani Laura Palmer Steven Shaw Elaine Stevenson Julie Ann Hilda Thompson Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Health and Social Care Rory Doyle Anita Dunne Bente Moller Jensen Carol Treacy Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History John McLean Briton Lisa Cahill Niamh Corbally Laura Mahood Paul Russell David James Watkins

Photographs by Elaine Hill Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities Joanna Campbell Miller Frizzell Alice Kehoe Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities with Art History Patricia Carroll Seamus Concannon Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities with Art History and Classical Studies Philip Gately

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities with Philosophy Donal Farrell

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Mathematics Martin James Kealey

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities with Religious Studies David Salawu

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Mathematics and Statistics Ek Sok Vichet Hak

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities (Spanish and Music) Dean Millar

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Modern Language Studies with English and French Mairead Orla Ni Laighin

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Studies Mark McNally

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities with Classical Studies and Philosophy Ryan Armstrong

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Language Studies with English and French Alketa Repishti

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities with Classical Studies and Religious Studies Fiona Mary Duff

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Language Studies with English and Spanish Flora Gomez Romero

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities with Literature Gaynor Kane

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Leadership and Management Christopher Coyle Karl Downey Manuel Huber Eleanor Shannon Greg Sheridan

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities with Music Janette Galvin

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Modern Language Studies with French and German Mark Simpson Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Modern Language Studies with French and Spanish Jackie Roberts Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Open Ben Bradley Michael Byrne Ciaran Finnegan Christopher Gawley Bernadette Glynn Gareth Brent Irvine Darragh Muldoon Karolina Tangney Louise Watters

OCTOBER 24 2016 l Belfast Telegraph

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY | 5

Graduates 2016 Barry Millar Gerard Norwood Colin Alexander Scott

n with family from Warrenpoint

with dad Bob, wife Caoimhe and daughter

BACHELOR OF ARTS OPEN Bachelor of Arts Brian Ahearne Christina Margaret Hills Silvia Mariani Ballocchi Deirdre O’Neill Vera Michailovna Trenery Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy and Psychological Studies Keith John Waring Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics Malcolm Taylor Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work (England) Francis McCartan Kieran Teague Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work (Scotland) Catherine Lorraine Ward Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Steven James Farr Margaret Kennedy Patrick Morris Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Kalpana Chandran

Helen McReynolds, BSc (Hons) in Combined Social Sciences (Criminology) with sons Peter and Justin from Newtownabbey

Michelle Johnston from Belfast and Rae Moran from Enniskillen both graduating with Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing with Shannon Johnston Harrison Hall Charlene Hegarty Matthew Manning George Anthony McCrory Elaine McCullough Mark Orr Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (graduate entry) Gillian Craig

Top-up Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing and IT Practice Rodger Whiteside Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Criminology and Psychological Studies Louise Erika McNeil Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Design and Innovation Declan Duffy

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Combined Social Sciences (Criminology) Trevor Hewitt Helen McReynolds Louise Moore

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Studies Alan Ferguson

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Combined Social Sciences (Geography) Paula Martine Quinn John Weldon

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health and Social Care Margaret Rose McAteer Sinead Maria Molloy Kirsty Stewart

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Combined Social Sciences (Politics) Brian Joseph McCabe

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in International Studies Shauna Hughes Christine Helen Murray Martina Pastorkova

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing and Information Technology Owain Evans Darren Moan

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mathematics Andrew MacCabe

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mathematics and Statistics Michael Dougherty Jeannette Lavery

Liam Ryan John Shields Damian Smyth Andrea Stedman Lisa Toan Stewart Wadman Jennifer Watson Lucy Woods

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Natural Sciences (Astronomy and Planetary Science) John Gerard O’Neill

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Social Policy and Criminology Michelle Clark Lilian Rumbidzai Vellem

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Natural Sciences (Chemistry) Scott Campbell

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sport, Fitness and Coaching Hugh Carlin

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Open Terri-Anne Bailey Nathan Sipho Banana Emma Breen Kieran Joseph Connor Sean Daly George Ferguson Eve Flack Joanna Lesslie Andrea McGonigle Ciaran McKeon Patrick Morris Elaine Morrow Conor O Sullivan Vilma Rai Alana Leigh Scott Samantha Scott Matthew Stuart Angela Tibby John Walker

FOUNDATION DEGREES Foundation Degree in Combined Professional Studies Lawrence Fleming

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE OPEN Bachelor of Science Natasha Crawford Allen Farr Lucinda Ann Hepburn Judith Higgins Graham Hughes Tony David Humphreys Gerard McVey Mario Gino Morelli Lynda Patricia O’Lone Lesley Wilson Dean Wright Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology Bronagh Allison Sarah Bacon Rachel Jane Black Robert Brogan Johanna Carroll Keith Costello Kyla Dawson Ann-Marie Delea Lise-Marie Du Preez Noel Enright Laura Evans June Finlay Melanie Constance Fitzgerald Kelvin Frain Lorna Gray Lydia Greer Kira Kazakova Bryan Kenna Siobhan Kennedy Louise Kidney Margaret Patricia Leahy Alanna Macey Prisca Malaba Gemma McFall Nichola McMullan Julie Mercer Leina Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Ibnouf Anne Marie O’Dwyer Anne O’Malley Robert Pirrie Damian Price John Rea Sara Riso

Foundation Degree in Early Years Suzanne Armstrong Foundation Degree in Sport and Fitness Joe Kelly Helen Perry DIPLOMA OF HIGHER EDUCATION Diploma of Higher Education in Adult Nursing Ruth Byers Celine Clarke Kerry Fisher Melissa Goudie Maria Patricia McDowell Diploma of Higher Education in Computing and IT Gary Brodigan Diploma of Higher Education in Humanities Gina Veronica Leiva Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing Declan Burns Colleen Conway Michelle Johnston Catherine Mc Broom Donna Mc Cormick Brigid Mc Veigh Rae Suzanne Moran Kerry Turkington Diploma of Higher Education Open Declan Flowers Hazel Mayger Helena McBennett Zeenat Meenan Diploma of Higher Education in Social Policy and Criminology Bronagh McErlean PROFESSIONAL PRACTIONER Professional Graduate Certificate in Education Catherine Feeney Christine Mary Green Andrew John McCullough Judith Sarah Louise Spence Elaine Christine Watt

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Belfast Telegraph l OCTOBER 24 2016

Diane Gibb, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business Studies, Karl Downey graduating with Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Leadership and Management and Joanna Lesslie, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Open.

Picture: Elaine Hill

I got by with a little help from my friends

D

istance learning with The Open University doesn’t mean you are on your own. Three graduates who received their degrees at Friday’s ceremony tell the story of how the OU brought them together to form a lasting friendship.

Diane Gibb from Coleraine graduated in a BA (Honours) in Business Studies. Diane explains how part-time study was her only option. She says: “A full-time degree would have impacted significantly on my ability to work and family life which would have affected my financial situation.”

To her, distance learning definitely doesn’t mean distant. “I was never alone and I thoroughly enjoyed chatting to other students at tutorials and on forums. I’ve met Joanna and Karl who I am still in contact with during the exciting build up to our graduation day.”

Diane has embraced studying with The Open University and it hasn’t only benefitted her. As a result, her children also see that adults have the opportunity to learn at any stage, without any barriers. They also see the opportunities that can arise as a result of getting a university qualification. “Studying

part-time is very rewarding and the feedback from tutors not only inspired me but instilled me with confidence.”

Joanna Lesslie from Carrickfergus graduated in a BSc (Honours) Open Degree. A mother to two boys, Joanna explains: “It was one of the hardest things I have had to do but also the most rewarding and gave me a great sense of achievement.

“I will take away with me the friendships I made with those around me in my class especially Karl and Diane who really kept me going right through to the end. Even now we still keep in touch.”

When asked would she study again she replied: “I would say a resounding yes. I would like to move into a senior management role in the health service and could see myself studying for an MBA!” Karl Downey from Antrim graduated in

a BA (Hons) Leadership and Management.

Karl started his journey with the OU back in 2009. He came along to the OU office as moral support for a friend only to realise the opportunities the OU could offer him.

Karl is grateful to the OU as his tutor picked up on his dyslexia which then led to him being diagnosed. “The reason I had struggled in school was because, unbeknown to me and my teachers, I had a learning disability and it wasn’t because I wasn’t capable. This new diagnosis provided me with the academic support I needed.”

Karl re-emphasises Diane and Joanna’s sentiments about the importance of finding each other through The Open University: “We struck up a great friendship. At times it was extremely difficult but the friendships all the students built up at day schools were invaluable to our progress.”

OCTOBER 24 2016 l Belfast Telegraph

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY | 7

Study, work and family: Kalpana did it all with the OU

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alpana Chandran from Malaysia, and living in Belfast, graduated with The Open University (OU), receiving a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) on Friday, 21st October.

Kalpana started studying with the OU back in 2011 and what attracted her was being able to study on a part-time basis alongside her job. “I had the opportunity to further my education as I only worked part-time so I had plenty of spare time to invest in my education. The OU was the best place to start my journey.”

When Kalpana first embarked on her education she was faced with complications during and after her pregnancy. As a result, she had to juggle life commitments – especially because she had no family or friends around to support her. She also went back to work full-time in the last year of her degree. However this made her even more

Kalpana Chandran, Bachelor of Laws (Hons).

Picture: Elaine Hill

focused on completing her studies with the OU. She says: “The most challenging element was fitting in study time with family and work time. I didn’t ever feel like giving up because I believed that this was the only opportunity I had to change my life.”

Kalpana works in a local call centre at the moment but she has ambitions for her future career using her Open University qualification. “I strongly believe that I will now be able to seek a law graduate job and start from there. Having my

degree now allows me to seek a different type of job in a different industry.”

Kalpana has some clear advice to those who might be considering OU study: “Do not wait and do not delay, embark on your journey now as it is a life changing experience with support from the OU from the start.”

“Achieving an LLB Honours is the best thing that has ever happened in my entire life. I have had a fantastic and memorable life experience.

“I feel so proud of what I have accomplished.”

88% OF OU STUDENTS SAID THEIR CAREER BENEFITED FROM THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THEY GAINED