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Belfast Telegraph October 5 2015
Life-changing Learning
The Open University: unlocking potential across Northern Ireland
by John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Northern Ireland
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n Friday, October 2, 2015, a total of 276 remarkable individuals crossed the stage at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast at The Open University’s degree ceremony. I would like to extend a huge congratulations to all of those graduates, each of whom put in unbelievable effort and commitment to reach their goals. The Open University has been increasing access to education for over four decades, enabling people,
Minister for Employment and Learning Dr Stephen Farry said: “Through the part-time, flexible, distance learning that The Open University provides, individuals in Northern Ireland are able to develop their skills, progress their careers, and ultimately transform their lives. They make valued contributions to society, community and the economy here as a result. I offer my warmest congratulations to each and every graduate at the Belfast ceremony on their achievements and wish them every success in the future.”
regardless of their previous educational attainment or personal circumstances, to fulfil their potential. This has been achieved using flexible, quality teaching and cutting-edge technology. All that is needed is a desire to learn, and that desire is evident in the hundreds of thousands of people who have earned degrees and diplomas with The Open University since its formation in 1969. In Northern Ireland alone, where we have been voted the top university here for 11 years by our students, over 40,000 people have studied with us to date.
People choose to study with the OU for a number of reasons. The flexible, part-time, online higher education that we provide enables individuals to balance their studies around other important commitments such as work, family or caring responsibilities. Students that live outside of our main towns and cities and cannot easily access a university campus, often choose to study with the OU because our distance-learning methods are easily accessible – from virtual classrooms to personal study apps, in addition to some local face-
to-face tutorials. Indeed, we have students in every constituency area across Northern Ireland. 73% of our students also ‘earn while they learn’ – taking courses to boost their skills and confidence, which enables them to move on in their current careers, or 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. In addition, employers benefit immediately from the skills that OU
students are learning as they study, because they apply them directly to the workplace. And because part-time students who are working continue to pay income tax and make national insurance contributions, as do their employers, they help keep our economy moving and growing as they study. So congratulations once again to all our graduates of 2015. They all have something to shout about. Part-time higher education works – for society, citizens and the economy in Northern Ireland – and OU graduates are the proof.
John D’Arcy, Baroness Nuala O’Loan who received her Honorary Doctorate at the ceremony, Minister Stephen Farry and Richard Gillingwater
John D’Arcy, Baroness Nuala O’Loan and Richard Gillingwater (Pro-Chancellor of The Open University)
Jackie D’Arcy, Maria McCourt, Baroness Nuala O’Loan and John D’Arcy (Director, OU in Northern Ireland)
Belfast Telegraph October 5 2015
Life-changing Learning
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Tracey Nicholson, who achieved a BA (Hons) in English Literature, with Mina Nicholson
Victoria Wylie, from Maghaberry, who achieved an Honours degree in Health and Social Care, with Colin Lavery
Stephen O’Halloran graduated with a Foundation degree in Operating Department Practice Anne Tobin, from Belfast, who graduated with a BSc in Social Science, with Elaine Graham, from Cork, who graduated with a BSc in Leadership and Management
Rory Bruton, from Dublin, who graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Social Sciences with Environment, with Rebecca Kelly
Tabatha McCullough celebrates with Maria Diven, who achieved a BSc in Nursing Practice
Cheryl Blair, who completed a degree in Business Studies, with Andrew Blair
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Belfast Telegraph October 5 2015
Life-changing Learning
Presentation of
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 2, 2015, in order of full classification.
HIGHER DEGREES Doctor of Philosophy Heather Evelyn Richardson, for a Thesis entitled ‘Freethinkers’ a Novel and ‘Inventing History: How do Research, Imagination and Memory Fuse Creatively in Writing of an Historical Novel?’ Doctorate in Education Fionnuala McCann, for a Thesis entitled How Do Pupils Experience B ehaviour Management and What is It’s Impact on identity? Anne Valerie Mary Moriarty, for a Thesis entitled E-Learning in a Rural Irish Primary School: Implementation and Possibilities Michael Jeremiah Redmond, for a Thesis entitled ‘Irish Principles’ Emotional Competencies and Affectively Attuned Change-Management’ Master of Arts in Childhood and Youth - Martina Gallagher Master of Arts in English With Merit - Alison Green Master of Business Administration Colm Callanan, Robert Cameron, Steve Fisher, Gillian Louise Frizzell, Shay Griffin, Ken Lynch, Alan Joseph McDowell. Master of Education - Marese Mulligan Master of Education (Leadership and Management) - Michelle Leona Fee Master of Laws With Merit Christopher James Boyd Master of Science in Advanced Networking - Ian McClurg Master of Science in Development Management - Jack Donohoe Master of Science in Environmental Decision Making Declan Martin Teague Master of Science in Forensic Psychology and Criminology Geraldine Kathleen Bernadette Boyce, Kumbulani Mapolisa, Emma McGeown Master of Science in Mathematics With Distinction - Domhnall O’Cobhthaigh Master of Science in Mathematics With Merit - John Winters Master of Science in Psychological Research Methods - Nosipho Mapolisa Postgraduate Certificate in Education - Sarah Cathleen Jane Anderson, Caolan Brady. HONOURS DEGREES Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies, Upper Second-class Honours - Stephen Andrew Aicken, Paul Mark Curran, Jayne MacKenna, Fionnuala Marrey, Tracey Newman Lower Second-class Honours - Cheryl Blair, William James Ennis, Lucelia Regina Lazzari Bellozupko, Brian O’Dwyer Third-class Honours - Harald Klikovits Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies (Accounting) Upper Second-class Honours -
Richard Archibald Third-class Honours - Tony Hallion Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies with Environment, Lower Second-class Honours - Alana Cartmill Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies with French, Lower Second-class Honours - Jemma Agnew Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies with International Development, Upper Second-class Honours Jessica Kembery Bachelor of Arts in Childhood and Youth Studies Upper Second-class Honours Ruth Julie Kyle Lower Second-class Honours Catherine Machin Third-class Honours - Linda Fitzpatrick, Carolyn Mary Gillespie-Colville, Katrina McCrudden Bachelor of Arts in Combined Social Sciences (Criminology), Upper Second-class Honours - Martin Haggan Bachelor of Arts in Combined Social Sciences (Social Policy), Lower Second-class Honours - Niamh Morrison Bachelor of Arts in Early Years Lower Second-class Honours - Jemma Drummond, Maeve Moore Third-class Honours - Sarah Hopkins, Yvonne McGreevy Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature First-class Honours - Joe Hodgson Lower Second-class Honours - James Robert McIntyre Third-class Honours - Michelle Marie Millar Bachelor of Arts in English Literature First-class Honours - Jaime Harrison Upper Second-class Honours - Shireen Banerjee, Linda English, Tracy Nicholson, Joan Sadlier Third-class Honours - Marie McGeown Bachelor of Arts in Health and Social Care, Third-class Honours Israel Eguaogie Bachelor of Arts in History First-class Honours - James Coleman, Craig McCamley Upper Second-class Honours - Imelda Merron, Raymond Simpson Lower Second-class Honours - Richard Carey, Cornelius Logue, Niall McInerney, Wendy June Reid Third-class Honours - Stephen McMahon Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with Art History Upper Second-class Honours Margaret Deborah Baillie, Carol Margaret Ann Fulton Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with Art History and Classical Studies, First-class Honours Gerard Murphy Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with Classical Studies, Third-class Honours - Desmond Nichol Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with Creative Writing, Upper Second-class Honours - June Egelund-Jenkins Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with History, First-class Honours - John McAliskey Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with Literature Upper Second-class Honours - Martin James McMenamin Third-class Honours - Rachael Houghton Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with Music, Upper Second-class Honours - Stuart Crampton, Peter Anthony
Gary Waterson celebrates his success along with Alison, Elizabeth and Dennis Waterson
Joanne Crockard, who graduated with a BA Honours degree, with daughters Eleni and Anna
Kennedy Bachelor of Arts in International Studies Upper Second-class Honours Claire Hanna Lower Second-class Honours - John Francis Neeson Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Management Upper Second-class Honours - Elaine Graham Third-class Honours - Paul Curran Bachelor of Arts in Literature, Upper Second-class Honours - Karen Laverty Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Statistics, First-class Honours David Simon Jones Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language Studies with English and French, Lower Second-class Honours - Catherine Osborne Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language Studies with English and German, Upper Second-class Honours - Viola Dono
Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language Studies with English and Spanish First-class Honours - Norman Russell Martin Upper Second-class Honours Katarina Pecova Ruth Tyrrell Bachelor of Arts Open First-class Honours - Mark Vijay Bodha, Jamie Withers Upper Second-class Honours - Shauna Browne, Michelle Cleary, Glenn Convery, Joanne Margaret Crockard, Francis John Higgins, Declan McNally Lower Second-class Honours Roisin Mary Doherty, April Kealey, Jason McLaughlin, Niamh Smyth Third-class Honours - Timothy Paul Wooldridge Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy and Economics Upper Second-class Honours Sara Kytzia, Fara Moffett Lower Second-class Honours Brian Harrold Bachelor of Arts in Social Policy and
Ruth Kyle who graduated wit husband Glenn
Maeve Moore, who graduated
Criminology, Lower Second-class Honours - Amanda Jane Harrison Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with Politics Upper Second-class Honours - Gary Robert Watterson Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (England), First-class Honours Una Doherty Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Studies, First-class Honours Jacqueline Hay Bachelor of Engineering Upper Second-class Honours Tomas McQuaid, Neil Rooney Third-class Honours - Richard McGloughlin Bachelor of Laws First-class Honours - Athena P M Bennett, Jennifer Curran, Lesley McCaughan, Gary Tinkler Upper Second-class Honours - Lorna Harte, Joseph Palmer, Fiona Pegrum, Melissa Louise Waite Lower Second-class Honours Emma Morton
Belfast Telegraph October 5 2015
Life-changing Learning
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Graduates 2015 Shauna Browne, from Ballymena, who graduated with a BA (Hons), with husband Stephen
th a BA in Childhood and Youth Studies, with son Matthew and
Roisin Whyte, from Belfast, who graduated with a PGCE in Maths, with her parents Patrick and Rosemary Moran
Neil Lowry, who completed a BSc (Hons), with wife Alison
d with a BA (Hons) in Early Years, with Bridgid Moore
Third-class Honours - Grace Campbell, Mairead Anne McElroy Bachelor of Science in Combined Social Sciences Upper Second-class Honours Orla Boyle, Shauna Scroggie Bachelor of Science in Combined Social Sciences (Psychology), Lower Second-class Honours Lorraine Burke Bachelor of Science in Combined Social Sciences (Sociology), Upper Second-class Honours - Anne Tobin Bachelor of Science in Computing, Lower Second-class Honours William Donnell Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Psychological Studies Upper Second-class Honours Kerry Louise Moore Lower Second-class Honours Jeanette Bramald, Hayley Browne, Jennifer Elizabeth Rose Dougherty Third-class Honours - Michelle McKee Bachelor of Science in Design and Innovation, Lower Second-class
Graduate Jennifer Gilchrist with husband Andrew Gilchrist
Honours - Darren Cormie Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies First-class Honours - Canice O’Donnell Upper Second-class Honours Sara Julia Jayne Campbell Lower Second-class Honours Conor Doyle Bachelor of Science in Health and Social Care First-class Honours - Eleanor Bette Anne Cassidy Upper Second-class Honours Judith Carson, Philip Foster, Kirsty McGreevy, Margaret Alexandra Sharp, Leaonia Simpson, Nicola Simpson, Mary White Lower Second-class Honours Lucinda Camblin, Lisa Marie Fennell, Rachel Irwin, Linet Mukwena Third-class Honours - Mary McKinney, Agnes Shaw, Victoria Wylie Bachelor of Science in International Studies Upper Second-class Honours - Claire
Hanna, Liam Seosamh O’Laighin Lower Second-class Honours Stephanie Selwood Bachelor of Science in Life Science, Lower Second-class Honours John Arnold Stewart Bachelor of Science in Mathematics First-class Honours - William Girvan Upper Second-class Honours John Wilson Lower Second-class Honours - Peter Stewart Dolan Derek Walsh Bachelor of Science in Nursing Practice Upper Second-class Honours Maria Goretti Diven Lower Second-class Honours Sonia Batra Bachelor of Science Open First-class Honours - Jennifer Delaney Upper Second-class Honours - Mary Brown, Ciaran James Cunningham, Elaine Gillespie, Peter Girvan, Douglas Luke, Conor McCormick, Mark Newell, Colette Patricia Stewart, Steven Thomas, Richard Paul
Thompson Lower Second-class Honours - Aisling Devlin, Marcelle Marie Gibson, Vincent Martin, Andrea McCullough, Denise McGough, Jeremy George Moller, Finbar Robinson Third-class Honours - Kent Carinus, Neil Lowry, Happiness Nhandara, Thomas Patton Bachelor of Science in Physical Science, First-class Honours Deborah Bond Bachelor of Science in Psychology Upper Second-class Honours Caroline Bell, Susan Bennett, Annemarie Crean, Emer Gormley, Elaine Jennings, Carole Johnston, Rosaleen Johnston, Anna Keller, Brendan Lavery, Ronan MacCairbre, David McEvoy, Clodagh McHugh, Victoria Morris, Helen Catherine O’Shea, Colleen Sloan Lower Second-class Honours Evelyn Aleye Boyle, Nicola Cullen, Jenny Deane, Irene Dolan, Orla Hegarty, Anne Brigid McMahon, Neelani Ramiah, Julie Anna Richmond, Clodagh Russell Third-class Honours - Petra Callanan, Julieann Flaherty, Tara Lennox Bachelor of Science in Social Policy and Criminology First-class Honours - James Sharkey Lower Second-class Honours - Karen Yolanda Record Third-class Honours - Grainne Longman, Gary McLaughlin Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences, Lower Second-class Honours - Caroline Burrell Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences with Environment, Upper Second-class Honours - Rory Bruton Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences with Geography and Sociology, Lower Second-class Honours - Evelyn McDonnell Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences with Social Policy and Politics, Upper Second-class Honours - Noreen Kearney Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences with Social Policy and Sociology, Upper Second-class Honours, Joan Kinsella Bachelor of Science in Social
Sciences with Sociology, Lower Second-class Honours - Jody Faith Murphy Bachelor of Science in Sport, Fitness and Coaching First-class Honours - John George Upper Second-class Honours Caoimhe Suitor Bachelor of Science in Technology Upper Second-class Honours Keith Matthews Third-class Honours - David Manning UNCLASSIFIED DEGREES Bachelor of Arts in Early Years Samantha McIlveen, Irene Welch Bachelor of Arts Open - Maria R Gutierrez, Joel Howson, Julie Hurley, Louise Matthews, Christine Emily McMahon Bachelor of Science Open - Liam Devlin, Terence Graffin, Patrick Hannaway, Yolisa Peggy Kambule, Julie Emma McArdle, Andrea Reid, Murray Stark, Andrew Vincent FOUNDATION DEGREES Foundation Degree in Early Years Andrea Kirk, Sharon McFerran Foundation Degree in Engineering Sean Cartin Foundation Degree in Operating Department Practice - Stephen O’Halloran Foundation Dcegree in Sport and Fitness with Coaching - Stephen Carton
DIPLOMA OF HIGHER EDUCATION Diploma of Higher Education in Computing and IT - Robert Richter Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing - Brenda Martina Haughey, Robert Martin, Yvonne Mc Aleer, Colette Mary McCamphill Diploma of Higher Education Open Michelle Louise Bradley, Paula Hopkin PROFESSIONAL PRACTITIONER Professional Graduate Certificate in Education - Roisin Anne Moran, Sarah Susan Rebecca Shiels.
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Belfast Telegraph October 5 2015
Life-changing Learning
Arnold and Wendy show more than a Degree of Love for the OU! Belfast couple Arnold Stewart and Wendy Reid both graduated with The Open University (OU) on Friday, October 2, 2015.
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here did it all begin for Arnold and
Wendy? Arnold began studying with the OU back in 2001, embarking on a French course. Fast forward fourteen years and he has picked up his second degree with the OU – a BSc (Hons) in Life Sciences. Wendy received her BA (Hons) in History, having seen Arnold (the OU veteran, as she calls him) go through years of OU study. This familiarity with the OU, and knowing that it was possible to combine studies with all the other commitments in life, encouraged her to take the plunge into part-time study. It’s true to say OU study was a family affair in Arnold and Wendy’s house. They both had to juggle jobs and childcare throughout their studies, in order to complete their degrees. Arnold says: “Lunch and tea breaks disappear as they end up being taken up by studying the various modules, and early Sunday mornings are often spent doing assignments!” Wendy explains how your spare time needs to be organised correctly: “I have a family of two children and I was also working part-time in the initial stages of the degree so I made good use of any spare time I had.” The couple talk about how they stayed motivated throughout it all. Studying for his course, Arnold has been able to help his children with their school work and questions. He picked a course topic that he was fascinated by and enjoyed the “ohhh” reaction of the children to learning something new. Wendy says she never got “bogged down” with study; that way she didn’t get bored and the experience stayed fresh. Wendy and Arnold had their wonderful, supportive family in the audience as they both walked across the stage on Friday. However, in July when Wendy was receiving her results, this moment seemed like it might not be possible. Wendy contracted a serious auto-immune illness and was in hospital for three weeks unable to walk or talk properly. Thankfully she recovered and worked hard to ensure she was able to receive her degree. If Arnold and Wendy had one bit of advice for someone thinking about studying with the OU it would be “that things always work out – assignments might seem impossible at the start but always turn out OK in the end.” Wendy explains how the OU has developed her academic abilities that she didn’t know she had. “I have a fresh perspective on subjects and issues and studying with the OU has fuelled my ambition to go further and realise my potential – I now want to write a book!”
Belfast Telegraph October 5 2015
Life-changing Learning
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How Graeme distilled his new found knowledge for a more productive work life Graeme Millar is Operations Manager at The Echlinville Distillery, Northern Ireland’s first new licensed distillery in over 125 years. He explains why he choose to study for an MBA with The Open University.
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pon leaving school I studied for an HND in Food Technology, graduating in 1993. I needed a further qualification to be considered for a particular role and decided the Open University MBA offered the right level of challenge and flexibility to help me develop my management skills whilst doing a demanding full-time job. I am a partner and a dad, a guitarist in a band and the Chairman of a Motocross Club, therefore I don’t have much free time. Studying with The Open University allowed me to fit study-time into this schedule quite effectively. I took the train to work rather than driving. This gave me 13 hours a week. I set aside early mornings at the weekend for study at home too. I took two breaks during study due to work commitments. The way Open University study is structured made
this really straightforward. The models, frameworks and case studies that I learned about through the MBA have gelled together into a body of knowledge that helps me to synthesise an approach to a problem and deal effectively with changing circumstances. I also learned a lot from my fellow students. The tutorials and residential activities were a great opportunity to find out about management work in other business and sectors. I learned that we all deal with very similar problems no matter what business we are in. I can say confidently that I have delivered value in my roles of recent years and the
MBA study has been one of the contributing factors to this. The workplace-based project work really influenced a change in my day to day approach. I am now managing the start-up phase of a fullscale distillery so my job is focused mainly on project managing a new Distillation Hall build, installation and commissioning of new processing equipment. I will be developing the systems for operating the distillery, recruiting the team and working with the Directors on strategy development to ensure we position ourselves and build our reputation as a distillery making great drinks and a great place to visit. The Open University’s MBA enhanced and refined my previous experience and has given me the confidence to succeed in managing such a complex and important operation.
Graeme Millar