Issue 16, October 2004

Record number of students benefit and clients who have done pre-appointment website
searches.
from fee waiver scheme The research team hope that the study will lead to
New figures from The Open University in Scotland confirm the recommendations that prompt professionals to respond
continuing success of the part-time fee waiver scheme in better to this changing culture and to improve the service
increasing participation in higher education. they provide to their clients.
The scheme, funded by SHEFC, gave almost 2,700 people on Lorraine Hunter • 0131 549 7195 • l.hunter@open.ac.uk
benefits or very low incomes the opportunity of a free place to
study with The Open University in 2003/04. This represents Commonwealth award for Open
an increase of 19% on the previous year.
The profile of these students demonstrates the important role
University access programme
fee support plays in stimulating demand for lifelong learning The Open University’s short course programme has won
and in widening access. international recognition for giving over 10,000 people a
stepping stone into higher education. The university’s
68% of the students supported by the scheme last year were
Openings programme received a prestigious
women. Over 40% joined the OU with qualifications below
Commonwealth of Learning Award at the recent Pan
standard higher education entry level. There has been an
Commonwealth Conference in New Zealand.
increase on 2002/03 figures in the number of younger
students taking advantage of the scheme. The figures also The Openings programme consists of short flexible
show an increase last year in those studying science courses. courses designed to give students, particularly from under
The Open University continues to supplement the support represented groups, an experience of OU study. The
provided by the SHEFC scheme with its own financial awards intention is to bridge the divide between further and higher
fund. A further 300 applicants outwith the scheme’s eligibility education and to give students clear pathways for their
criteria received an OU award in 2003/04. future development.
Lesley Steele • 0131 549 7928 • l.e.steele@open.ac.uk The latest Openings course, ‘Understanding Children’,
was considered by the panel making the award and
praised for its “innovative approach to designing,
Spotlight on web savvy consumers developing and implementing an access course”. The
Improving the relationships between consumers and the quality of the multi-media course materials and the level
professionals they consult is the focus of a new joint of support provided to students were also given special
research project led by Strathclyde and Open University mention.
Business Schools. Lorraine Hunter • 0131 549 7195 • l.hunter@open.ac.uk
The study is looking at a new consumer group dubbed the
‘internet-informed’; people who gather information online UHI honour for
before going to professionals for advice. It appears that
many people are using this information to question the
former Deputy
judgement and recommendations of the professionals they Director
go to see. Professor Judith George,
Access to an unprecedented level of specialist technical former Deputy Director of
information from the internet has the potential to change The Open University in
radically the way consumers interact with service Scotland, has been
professionals. The researchers want to know more about awarded an honorary
what people do with the information they collect, how they fellowship for her influential Professor George with UHI
search for it and why they look for it in the first place. They role in developing Principal Professor Bob
Cormack
are also examining how professionals respond to patients education in the Highlands
and Islands.
Professor George, who retired in December 2003, was
presented with the award in recognition of her active
participation in the UHI Millennium Institute’s academic
council since its establishment. In her work with the council,
contributing to the academic development of UHI and
assuring academic standards, she was able to draw on The
Open University’s long-standing experience of delivering
and supporting higher education across the Highlands
and Islands. Professor George was presented with her
award at a ceremony preceding the annual UHI lecture
in September.