The Open University in Scotland s widening access work targets those people with no previous experience of study at SCQF Level 7 or above, with low incomes and those for whom attending a campus would present significant challenges. Our outreach activity is enhanced by work with partners across the country and by the provision of supported pathways into degree level study that are appropriate to the individual learner. Our partnerships are uniquely Scotland-wide and include schools, colleges, other universities, employers, trade unions, third sector and community-based organisations. Much of the work outlined below and our associated work on retention, completion and success is facilitated by the Scottish Funding Council’s Widening Access & Retention Fund, which enables us to support students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Open University in Scotland. The Open University is a unique institution, which delivers teaching in all four nations of the UK and is funded by the governments in Scotland, England and Wales. As such, it has governance structures which recognise and work within the increasingly diverse policy contexts of each nation. The Director of The Open University in Scotland is designated as the Vice-Chancellor's Delegate in Scotland and is responsible for the provision of services to students based in Scotland. The Open University in Scotland convenes two committees as part of its consultative structure: the Scottish Committee and the Scottish Working Committee. Both committees include representation from students and academics, as well as non-academic staff representatives. The Scottish Committee meets once a year and the Scottish Working Committee meets twice a year. Working with our student and associate lecturer body, we undertook a review of consultative structure in Scotland in 2013 to ensure our current practices and procedures operate effectively within Scotland and the wider Open University consultative structure. Financial sustainability The Open University has a well-developed financial strategy, reviewed annually by its Finance Committee that specifies parameters for borrowings, net current assets and surpluses. Each year the starting point of the annual budgeting process is the maintenance of the University’s financial sustainability over both the short-term and the long-term. The annual recurrent teaching grant from the Scottish Funding Council contributes to the University’s overall income and its financial condition.
The Open University in Scotland. The Open University is a unique institution, which delivers teaching in all four nations of the UK and is funded by the governments in Scotland, England and Wales. As such, it has governance structures which recognise and work within the increasingly diverse policy contexts of each nation. The Director of The OU in Scotland acts as the Vice-Chancellor's Delegate in Scotland and is responsible for the provision of services to students based in Scotland. The OU in Scotland convenes two committees as part of its consultative structure: the Scottish Committee and the Scottish Working Committee. Both committees include representation from students and academics, as well as non-academic staff representatives. The Scottish Committee meets once a year and the Scottish Working Committee meets twice a year.
The Open University in Scotland. The Open University in Scotland is committed to supporting innovation in the Dumfries and Xxxxxxxx region through the Xxxxxxxx Campus. As a provider across the Dumfries and Xxxxxxxx region, we have students registered in all the main towns in the region and throughout many of the smaller and more remote localities. The current on-going upgrading to superfast broadband across the region will improve the delivery of learning and support for our students and potentially allows The Open University to reach an even larger audience. Evolving from the work of the Xxxxxxxx Institute, The Open University in Scotland has led and delivered a range of knowledge exchange events bringing specialists to the Campus to share thinking in areas related to education, health and social care and management. The events have been well attended by practitioners, policy makers and managers across the public, private and third sectors. Additionally, The Open University in Scotland has also led on collaborative events with the academic partners, cross fertilising institutional expertise and helping to profile the collective efforts of the institutions on the Campus. The Open University in Scotland will deliver further events in partnership including a knowledge exchange event with Dumfries and Xxxxxxxx College. The Open University in Scotland will continue to explore how it can make a distinct offer to employers in the region to help them upskill their workforce and to contribute to the local economy. The Open University in Scotland will co-ordinate and lead on the development of the concept of an Academy of Care, a multi-institutional partnership involving representatives from all the academic partners. This will involve mapping the collective curriculum offer, and working with partners on the wider consultation of the concept. This development sits alongside the Xxxxxxxx Care Campus led by the University of Glasgow. Both developments offer significant benefits and opportunities for the region as a whole, and the potential to engage communities, and service providers in the thinking and development.
The Open University in Scotland. The Open University in Scotland is committed to play a full and active role in supporting the Xxxxxxxx Campus, through the Joint Academic Strategy Group and the Xxxxxxxx Campus Leadership Group. We have concluded that in order to enhance The Open University in Scotland’s work in the Dumfries and Xxxxxxxx region, we require support with funding for a post physically located on the Xxxxxxxx Campus. We will work with the SFC to discuss what that remit would look like to help us achieve and deliver on our wider aspirations. Dumfries and Xxxxxxxx College Refreshed shared services agreement ensuring value for money and learner needs is being progressed and ongoing. Annex 2 - Xxxxxxxx Campus Leadership Group (CCLG) Membership Organisation Members Independent Chairman Member Dumfries & Xxxxxxxx College Principal Regional Chair University of the West of Scotland Chief Operating Officer Campus Director University of Glasgow Vice-Principal and Head of College of Social Sciences Head of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies/Director of Campus Scotland’s Rural College South West Faculty Xxxx Knowledge Exchange Director Open University in Scotland Depute Director (Planning, Resources and Engagement) Learning and Teaching Co-ordinator Xxxxxxxx Carbon Centre Chairman of the Board of Trustees Trustee Xxxxxxxx Foundation Convenor Xxxxxxxx Trust Chief Executive Chairman of the Board Dumfries & Xxxxxxxx Council Chief Executive NHS Dumfries & Xxxxxxxx Chief Executive Chairman of the Board Scottish Enterprise Director Rural Operations Skills Development Scotland Regional Skills Planning Lead - South West Scottish Funding Council Xxxxxxx X’Xxxx Third Sector Representative Student Representative Community Planning Partnership Business Representative
