The Open University (UK)

The OU is a distance learning university founded to bring higher education to people who are unable to study at a conventional university. The OU is for people who want to choose when and where they study, including people with jobs, children, disabilities, or commitments that make it hard to go to a fixed place. More people study at the OU than at any other university in the UK. The Open University’s website>>

National Literacy Project

“Illiteracy is an injustice and we can do something about it. Our students think so and so do we.” With these words the Vice-Chancellor of The Open University opened the Strategic Forum on Literacy to celebrate International Literacy Day 2007. Read more about the OU’s Literacy Project>>

Strategic Forum on Literacy

At the Strategic Forum on Literacy, OU brought together representatives from national skills agencies, voluntary organisations, our Student Association and the University’s staff. The Director General of UNESCO sent a video message of support. Here’s a link to a webcast of the event.
As a result of connections made at the forum, OU is now working in partnership with The National Literacy Trust, Changemakers and UNESCO.

In partnership with The National Literacy Trust

2008 is the National Year of Reading and the The National Literacy Trust has £1 million of government funding to spend. OU will be working with the NLT to encourage staff, students and alumni to get involved with the Family Reading Campaign, Reading Connects and asking dads to become reading champions.

In partnership with Changemakers

The Open University is exploring the possibilities of virtual reading volunteering with Changemakers . This is an idea that resonates with our teaching and learning approach at The Open University and would make volunteering possible for many more of our staff, students and alumni.