Opening up the future - together

At The Open University, our mission has always been to make learning possible for anyone, anywhere. For over fifty years, we’ve been driven by the belief that education can transform lives and communities, and that belief remains as powerful today as ever.

Now, as we look ahead, we’re developing a new University Strategy: Opening Up. It’s about building on our proud heritage while reimagining how we open up learning, opportunity and connection for the future.

This is your opportunity to help shape that future. We’re inviting our students and staff to join the conversation – sharing your experiences, ideas and ambitions as we explore what the OU should stand for in the decades ahead.

Together, we’ll ensure that our teaching and research continue to change lives, create opportunity and empower communities everywhere.

Your voice matters. Be part of shaping the next chapter of The Open University’s story and help us open up the future, together.

Hear more from our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dave Phoenix, as he discusses the emerging University Strategy, how it fits within the wider Higher Education context, and what it means for The Open University.

A transcript of this video is also available. Download the transcript by clicking here.

Work to date

Over the summer, the Vice-Chancellor's Executive began exploring what the next chapter of our University could look like. This exploration resulted in the identification of some strategic themes, emerging priorities and an initial framework for our future Strategy, which is built on what we know and have already heard from students and staff.

You can find out more about the emerging strategy in this short video.

A transcript of this video is also available. Download the transcript by clicking here.

Strategy framework

A transcript of this strategy house image is also available. Download the transcript by clicking here.

The strategy framework is like a house – each part of the house represents a key part of the emerging strategy:

• Roof: our overarching vision to be recognised as a transformative institution that delivers for the 21st Century, through high-quality, digitally enabled education, research and partnership.
• Pillars: our strategic objectives that support the vision. Each pillar represents a strategic theme:
  • Creating societal impact - reaching underserved groups and tackling real world challenges.
  • Advancing social mobility - supporting every student to realise their ambition.
  • Empowering communities through partnership - working with employers, educators and others to co-create solutions and re-write the rules of learning.
• Foundation: this is what supports everything – our heritage, cultures, values and enabling capabilities. The foundation keeps the Strategy grounded and sustainable.

Shaping the Strategy

We recognise that we’re not starting from a blank page, and while we’ve started with our strategic thinking, there’s still plenty for students, colleagues and external partners to shape and influence.

We want to hear from you, our students. We want you to tell us what you think about this emerging strategy.

This consultation is not about the precise wording of the pillars and enabling capabilities, it is about seeking your input into the OU’s future direction. Please share your views on whether you think this emerging strategy:

• will keep the OU relevant in the face of fast-paced change in the world around us
• will help us advance our mission to be truly open to all
• includes what you would expect from The Open University of the future
• Puts us on the path to being recognised as a transformative institution for the 21st century — delivering high-quality, digitally enabled education and research.

Your feedback will help us shape our thinking and ensure we continue to advance our mission so that more people and communities can benefit from the transformative power of learning.

The Student Voice can help shape the next chapter of our story, as we look to the future with confidence and purpose.

How you can get involved

We’d welcome your thoughts and questions either at the Student Voice session on 15 November or via the Student Consultation Forum.

See below for details on how you can get involved.

Student Voice Week

As part of the introduction to Student Voice week on Saturday 15 November Open SU president and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Students Ian Pickup will run a session sharing details of the emerging strategy and there will be an opportunity for you to tell us what you think about this emerging strategy. Does it reflect your experience and ambition? Does it capture what the OU should stand for in the future?

Sign up to the session at Student Voice Week by clicking here.

Student Consultation Forum

We’re also setting up a consultation forum, this will run for two weeks from 15 November and is your chance to share your views, your thoughts and your feedback on what we’ve shared about the emerging strategy.

You can register your interest in the forum by clicking here - tick the box for University Strategy to be notified when the forum opens and to receive updates, including the University's response to your feedback when available.