2 Life-changing LearningBelfast Telegraph October 5 2015

The Open University: unlockingpotential across Northern Ireland

On Friday, October 2, 2015, a totalof 276 remarkable individualscrossed the stage at the

Waterfront Hall in Belfast at The OpenUniversity’s degree ceremony. I wouldlike to extend a huge congratulationsto all of those graduates, each ofwhom put in unbelievable effort andcommitment to reach their goals.The Open University has been

increasing access to education forover four decades, enabling people,

regardless of their previouseducational attainment or person-al circumstances, to fulfil theirpotential. This has been achievedusing flexible, quality teaching andcutting-edge technology.All that is needed is a desire to

learn, and that desire is evident in thehundreds of thousands of people whohave earned degrees and diplomaswith The Open University since itsformation in 1969. In NorthernIreland alone, where we have beenvoted the top university here for 11years by our students, over 40,000people have studied with us to date.

People choose to study with the OUfor a number of reasons. The flexible,part-time, online higher educationthat we provide enables individualsto balance their studies around otherimportant commitments such aswork, family or caringresponsibilities.Students that live outside of our

main towns and cities and cannoteasily access a university campus,often choose to study with the OUbecause our distance-learningmethods are easily accessible – fromvirtual classrooms to personal studyapps, in addition to some local face-

to-face tutorials. Indeed, we havestudents in every constituency areaacross Northern Ireland.73% of our students also ‘earn

while they learn’ – taking coursesto boost their skills and confidence,which enables them to move on intheir current careers, or to access newemployment opportunities.It also helps that OU qualifications

are highly regarded by employers –focus, determination and hard workare the hallmark qualities of OpenUniversity graduates.In addition, employers benefit

immediately from the skills that OU

students are learning as they study,because they apply them directly tothe workplace.And because part-time students

who are working continue to payincome tax and make national insur-ance contributions, as do their em-ployers, they help keep our economymoving and growing as they study.So congratulations once again to

all our graduates of 2015. They allhave something to shout about.Part-time higher education works –

for society, citizens and the economyin Northern Ireland – and OUgraduates 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 TheOpen University)

Jackie D’Arcy, Maria McCourt, Baroness Nuala O’Loan and John D’Arcy (Director, OU inNorthern Ireland)

by John D’Arcy, Director ofThe Open University in Northern Ireland

Minister forEmployment andLearning DrStephen Farrysaid: “Throughthe part-time,flexible, distancelearning that TheOpen Universityprovides,individuals inNorthern Irelandare able todevelop theirskills, progresstheir careers, andultimatelytransform theirlives. They makevaluedcontributions tosociety,community andthe economyhere as a result. Ioffer my warmestcongratulationsto each and everygraduate at theBelfast ceremonyon theirachievementsand wish themevery success inthe future.”

3Life-changing LearningBelfast Telegraph October 5 2015

Tracey Nicholson, who achieved a BA (Hons) in English Literature, withMina Nicholson

Victoria Wylie, from Maghaberry, who achieved an Honours degree in Health andSocial Care, with Colin Lavery

Anne Tobin, from Belfast, who graduated with a BSc in Social Science, with ElaineGraham, from Cork, who graduated with a BSc in Leadership and Management

Tabatha McCullough celebrates with Maria Diven, who achieved a BScin Nursing Practice

Cheryl Blair, who completed a degree in Business Studies, withAndrew Blair

Stephen O’Halloran graduatedwith a Foundation degree inOperating Department Practice

Rory Bruton, from Dublin, who graduated with a BSc (Hons) in SocialSciences with Environment, with Rebecca Kelly

Listed below are the names of thosegraduates who have successfullycompleted qualifications with TheOpen University and who have beenable to attend the Waterfront Hall,Belfast, on Friday, October 2, 2015,in order of full classification.

HIGHER DEGREESDoctor of Philosophy -Heather Evelyn Richardson, for a The-sis entitled ‘Freethinkers’ a Novel and‘Inventing History: How doResearch, Imagination and MemoryFuse Creatively in Writing of anHistorical Novel?’Doctorate in Education -Fionnuala McCann, for a Thesisentitled How Do Pupils Experience Behaviour Management and What is It’sImpact on identity?Anne Valerie Mary Moriarty, for a The-sis entitled E-Learning in a Rural IrishPrimary School: Implementation andPossibilitiesMichael Jeremiah Redmond, for aThesis entitled ‘Irish Principles’Emotional Competencies and Affec-tively Attuned Change-Management’Master of Arts in Childhood andYouth - Martina GallagherMaster of Arts in English WithMerit - Alison GreenMaster of Business Administration -Colm Callanan, Robert Cameron,Steve Fisher, Gillian Louise Frizzell,Shay Griffin, Ken Lynch, Alan JosephMcDowell.Master of Education - MareseMulliganMaster of Education (Leadershipand Management) - Michelle LeonaFeeMaster of Laws With Merit -Christopher James BoydMaster of Science in AdvancedNetworking - Ian McClurgMaster of Science in DevelopmentManagement - Jack DonohoeMaster of Science inEnvironmental Decision Making -Declan Martin TeagueMaster of Science in ForensicPsychology and Criminology -Geraldine Kathleen Bernadette Boyce,Kumbulani Mapolisa, EmmaMcGeownMaster of Science in MathematicsWith Distinction - DomhnallO’CobhthaighMaster of Science in MathematicsWith Merit - John WintersMaster of Science in PsychologicalResearch Methods - NosiphoMapolisaPostgraduate Certificate inEducation - Sarah Cathleen JaneAnderson, Caolan Brady.

HONOURSDEGREES

Bachelor of Arts in BusinessStudies, Upper Second-class Honours- Stephen Andrew Aicken, Paul MarkCurran, Jayne MacKenna, FionnualaMarrey, Tracey NewmanLower Second-class Honours - CherylBlair, William James Ennis, LuceliaRegina Lazzari Bellozupko, BrianO’DwyerThird-class Honours - HaraldKlikovitsBachelor of Arts in Business Studies(Accounting)Upper Second-class Honours -

Richard ArchibaldThird-class Honours - Tony HallionBachelor of Arts in BusinessStudies with Environment, LowerSecond-class Honours - Alana CartmillBachelor of Arts in BusinessStudies with French, LowerSecond-class Honours - Jemma AgnewBachelor of Arts in Business Studieswith International Development,Upper Second-class Honours -Jessica KemberyBachelor of Arts in Childhood andYouth StudiesUpper Second-class Honours -Ruth Julie KyleLower Second-class Honours -Catherine MachinThird-class Honours - LindaFitzpatrick, Carolyn MaryGillespie-Colville, Katrina McCruddenBachelor of Arts in Combined SocialSciences (Criminology), Upper Sec-ond-class Honours - Martin HagganBachelor of Arts in Combined SocialSciences (Social Policy), Lower Sec-ond-class Honours - Niamh MorrisonBachelor of Arts in Early YearsLower Second-class Honours - JemmaDrummond, Maeve MooreThird-class Honours - Sarah Hopkins,Yvonne McGreevyBachelor of Arts in EnglishLanguage and LiteratureFirst-class Honours - Joe HodgsonLower Second-class Honours - JamesRobert McIntyreThird-class Honours - Michelle MarieMillarBachelor of Arts in EnglishLiteratureFirst-class Honours - Jaime HarrisonUpper Second-class Honours - ShireenBanerjee, Linda English, TracyNicholson, Joan SadlierThird-class Honours - Marie McGeownBachelor of Arts in Health andSocial Care, Third-class Honours -Israel EguaogieBachelor of Arts in HistoryFirst-class Honours - James Coleman,Craig McCamleyUpper Second-class Honours - ImeldaMerron, Raymond SimpsonLower Second-class Honours - RichardCarey, Cornelius Logue,Niall McInerney, Wendy June ReidThird-class Honours - StephenMcMahonBachelor of Arts in Humanities withArt HistoryUpper Second-class Honours -Margaret Deborah Baillie, CarolMargaret Ann FultonBachelor of Arts in Humanitieswith Art History and Classical Stud-ies, First-class Honours -Gerard MurphyBachelor of Arts in Humanities withClassical Studies, Third-class Hon-ours - Desmond NicholBachelor of Arts in Humanities withCreative Writing, Upper Second-classHonours - June Egelund-JenkinsBachelor of Arts in Humanities withHistory, First-class Honours - JohnMcAliskeyBachelor of Arts in Humanities withLiteratureUpper Second-class Honours - MartinJames McMenaminThird-class Honours - RachaelHoughtonBachelor of Arts in Humanitieswith Music, Upper Second-class Hon-ours - Stuart Crampton, Peter Anthony

4 Belfast Telegraph October 5 2015

Presentation of GrLife-changing Learning

KennedyBachelor of Arts in InternationalStudiesUpper Second-class Honours -Claire HannaLower Second-class Honours - JohnFrancis NeesonBachelor of Arts in Leadership andManagementUpper Second-class Honours - ElaineGrahamThird-class Honours - Paul CurranBachelor of Arts in Literature,Upper Second-class Honours - KarenLavertyBachelor of Arts in Mathematicsand Statistics, First-class Honours -David Simon JonesBachelor of Arts in ModernLanguage Studies with English andFrench, Lower Second-class Honours- Catherine OsborneBachelor of Arts in ModernLanguage Studies with English andGerman, Upper Second-class Honours- Viola Dono

Bachelor of Arts in ModernLanguage Studies with Englishand SpanishFirst-class Honours - NormanRussell MartinUpper Second-class Honours -Katarina Pecova Ruth TyrrellBachelor of Arts OpenFirst-class Honours - Mark VijayBodha, Jamie WithersUpper Second-class Honours - ShaunaBrowne, Michelle Cleary, GlennConvery, Joanne Margaret Crockard,Francis John Higgins, Declan McNallyLower Second-class Honours -Roisin Mary Doherty, April Kealey, Ja-son McLaughlin, Niamh SmythThird-class Honours - Timothy PaulWooldridgeBachelor of Arts in Politics,Philosophy and EconomicsUpper Second-class Honours -Sara Kytzia, Fara MoffettLower Second-class Honours -Brian HarroldBachelor of Arts in Social Policy and

Criminology, Lower Second-classHonours - Amanda Jane HarrisonBachelor of Arts in Social Scienceswith PoliticsUpper Second-class Honours - GaryRobert WattersonBachelor of Arts in Social Work(England), First-class Honours -Una DohertyBachelor of Arts in Social WorkStudies, First-class Honours -Jacqueline HayBachelor of EngineeringUpper Second-class Honours -Tomas McQuaid, Neil RooneyThird-class Honours - RichardMcGloughlinBachelor of LawsFirst-class Honours - Athena P M Ben-nett, Jennifer Curran, LesleyMcCaughan, Gary TinklerUpper Second-class Honours - LornaHarte, Joseph Palmer, Fiona Pegrum,Melissa Louise WaiteLower Second-class Honours -Emma Morton

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

Ruth Kyle who graduated with a BA in Childhood andhusband Glenn

Maeve Moore, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Early

5Belfast Telegraph October 5 2015

Presentation of Graduates 2015

Third-class Honours - GraceCampbell, Mairead Anne McElroyBachelor of Science in CombinedSocial SciencesUpper Second-class Honours -Orla Boyle, Shauna ScroggieBachelor of Science in CombinedSocial Sciences (Psychology),Lower Second-class Honours -Lorraine BurkeBachelor of Science in CombinedSocial Sciences (Sociology), UpperSecond-class Honours - Anne TobinBachelor of Science in Computing,Lower Second-class Honours -William DonnellBachelor of Science in Criminologyand Psychological StudiesUpper Second-class Honours -Kerry Louise MooreLower Second-class Honours -Jeanette Bramald, Hayley Browne,Jennifer Elizabeth Rose DoughertyThird-class Honours - Michelle McKeeBachelor of Science in Design andInnovation, Lower Second-class

Honours - Darren CormieBachelor of Science inEnvironmental StudiesFirst-class Honours - CaniceO’DonnellUpper Second-class Honours -Sara Julia Jayne CampbellLower Second-class Honours -Conor DoyleBachelor of Science in Health andSocial CareFirst-class Honours - Eleanor BetteAnne CassidyUpper Second-class Honours -Judith Carson, Philip Foster, KirstyMcGreevy, Margaret Alexandra Sharp,Leaonia Simpson, Nicola Simpson,Mary WhiteLower Second-class Honours -Lucinda Camblin, Lisa Marie Fennell,Rachel Irwin, Linet MukwenaThird-class Honours - MaryMcKinney, Agnes Shaw, Victoria WylieBachelor of Science inInternational StudiesUpper Second-class Honours - Claire

Hanna, Liam Seosamh O’LaighinLower Second-class Honours -Stephanie SelwoodBachelor of Science in Life Science,Lower Second-class Honours -John Arnold StewartBachelor of Science in MathematicsFirst-class Honours - William GirvanUpper Second-class Honours -John WilsonLower Second-class Honours - PeterStewart Dolan Derek WalshBachelor of Science in NursingPracticeUpper Second-class Honours -Maria Goretti DivenLower Second-class Honours -Sonia BatraBachelor of Science OpenFirst-class Honours - Jennifer DelaneyUpper Second-class Honours - MaryBrown, Ciaran James Cunningham,Elaine Gillespie, Peter Girvan,Douglas Luke, Conor McCormick,Mark Newell, Colette Patricia Stewart,Steven Thomas, Richard Paul

Roisin Whyte, from Belfast, who graduated with a PGCE in Maths, with her parentsPatrick and Rosemary Moran

Life-changing Learning

Shauna Browne, from Ballymena, who graduated with aBA (Hons), with husband Stephen

Neil Lowry, who completed a BSc (Hons), with wife Alison

Graduate Jennifer Gilchrist with husband AndrewGilchrist

ThompsonLower Second-class Honours - AislingDevlin, Marcelle Marie Gibson,Vincent Martin, Andrea McCullough,Denise McGough, Jeremy GeorgeMoller, Finbar RobinsonThird-class Honours - Kent Carinus,Neil Lowry, Happiness Nhandara,Thomas PattonBachelor of Science in PhysicalScience, First-class Honours -Deborah BondBachelor of Science in PsychologyUpper 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 CatherineO’Shea, Colleen SloanLower Second-class Honours -Evelyn Aleye Boyle, Nicola Cullen,Jenny Deane, Irene Dolan, OrlaHegarty, Anne Brigid McMahon,Neelani Ramiah, Julie Anna Rich-mond, Clodagh RussellThird-class Honours - Petra Callanan,Julieann Flaherty, Tara LennoxBachelor of Science in Social Policyand CriminologyFirst-class Honours - James SharkeyLower Second-class Honours - KarenYolanda RecordThird-class Honours - GrainneLongman, Gary McLaughlinBachelor of Science in SocialSciences, Lower Second-classHonours - Caroline BurrellBachelor of Science in SocialSciences with Environment, UpperSecond-class Honours - Rory BrutonBachelor of Science in SocialSciences with Geography andSociology, Lower Second-classHonours - Evelyn McDonnellBachelor of Science in SocialSciences with Social Policy andPolitics, Upper Second-class Honours- Noreen KearneyBachelor of Science in SocialSciences with Social Policy andSociology, Upper Second-class Hon-ours, Joan KinsellaBachelor of Science in Social

Sciences with Sociology, LowerSecond-class Honours - Jody FaithMurphyBachelor of Science in Sport, Fitnessand CoachingFirst-class Honours - John GeorgeUpper Second-class Honours -Caoimhe SuitorBachelor of Science in TechnologyUpper Second-class Honours -Keith MatthewsThird-class Honours - David Manning

UNCLASSIFIED DEGREESBachelor of Arts in Early Years -Samantha McIlveen, Irene WelchBachelor of Arts Open - Maria R Gut-ierrez, Joel Howson, Julie Hurley, Lou-ise Matthews, Christine EmilyMcMahonBachelor of Science Open - LiamDevlin, Terence Graffin, PatrickHannaway, Yolisa Peggy Kambule,Julie Emma McArdle, Andrea Reid,Murray Stark, Andrew Vincent

FOUNDATION DEGREESFoundation Degree in Early Years -Andrea Kirk, Sharon McFerranFoundation Degree in Engineering -Sean CartinFoundation Degree in OperatingDepartment Practice - StephenO’HalloranFoundation Dcegree in Sport andFitness with Coaching - StephenCarton

DIPLOMA OF HIGHER EDUCATIONDiploma of Higher Education inComputing and IT - Robert RichterDiploma of Higher Education inMental Health Nursing - BrendaMartina Haughey, Robert Martin,Yvonne Mc Aleer, Colette MaryMcCamphillDiploma of Higher Education Open -Michelle Louise Bradley, Paula Hopkin

PROFESSIONAL PRACTITIONERProfessional Graduate Certificate inEducation - Roisin Anne Moran,Sarah Susan Rebecca Shiels.

aduated with a BA in Childhood and Youth Studies, with son Matthew and

aduated with a BA (Hons) in Early Years, with Bridgid Moore

Where did itall begin forArnold and

Wendy?Arnold began studying

with the OU back in 2001,embarking on a Frenchcourse. Fast forwardfourteen years and he has picked up his second de-gree with the OU – a BSc (Hons) in Life Sciences.Wendy received her BA (Hons) in History, hav-

ing seen Arnold (the OU veteran, as she calls him)go through years of OU study. This familiaritywith the OU, and knowing that it was possible tocombine studies with all the other commitmentsin life, encouraged her to take the plunge intopart-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 completetheir degrees. Arnold says: “Lunch and tea breaksdisappear as they end up being taken up bystudying the various modules, and early Sundaymornings are often spent doing assignments!”Wendy explains how your spare time needs to

be organised correctly: “I have a family of twochildren and I was also working part-time in theinitial stages of the degree so I made good use ofany spare time I had.”The couple talk about how they stayed moti-

vated throughout it all. Studying for his course,Arnold has been able to help his children withtheir school work and questions.He picked a course topic that he was fascinated

by and enjoyed the “ohhh” reaction of the childrento learning something new. Wendy says she nevergot “bogged down” with study; that way she didn’tget bored and the experience stayed fresh.Wendy and Arnold had their wonderful, sup-

portive family in the audience as they both walkedacross the stage on Friday.However, in July when Wendy was receiving

her results, this moment seemed like it might notbe possible. Wendy contracted a serious auto-im-mune illness and was in hospital for three weeksunable to walk or talk properly. Thankfully sherecovered and worked hard to ensure she was ableto receive her degree.If Arnold and Wendy had one bit of advice for

someone thinking about studying with the OU itwould be “that things always work out – assign-ments might seem impossible at the start butalways turn out OK in the end.” Wendy explainshow the OU has developed her academic abilitiesthat she didn’t know she had.“I have a fresh perspective on subjects and

issues and studying with the OU has fuelled myambition to go further and realise my potential – Inow want to write a book!”

6 Belfast Telegraph October 5 2015

Arnold andWendy showmore than a

Degree of Lovefor the OU!

Belfast couple Arnold Stewart andWendy Reid both graduated withThe Open University (OU) onFriday, October 2, 2015.

Life-changing Learning

How Graeme distilled his newfound knowledge for a more

productive work life

7Belfast Telegraph October 5 2015

Upon leaving school Istudied for an HNDin Food Technolo-

gy, graduating in 1993. Ineeded a further qualifica-tion to be considered for aparticular role and decidedthe Open University MBAoffered the right level ofchallenge and flexibility tohelp me develop my man-agement skills whilst doinga demanding full-time job.I am a partner and a dad,a guitarist in a band and theChairman of a MotocrossClub, therefore I don’t havemuch free time. Studyingwith The Open Universityallowed me to fit study-timeinto this schedule quiteeffectively. I took the trainto work rather than driv-ing. This gave me 13 hoursa week. I set aside earlymornings at the weekendfor study at home too. I tooktwo breaks during studydue to work commitments.The way Open Universitystudy is structured made

this really straightforward.The models, frameworksand case studies that Ilearned about through theMBA have gelled togetherinto a body of knowledgethat helps me to synthesisean approach to a problemand deal effectively withchanging circumstances.I also learned a lot frommy fellow students. Thetutorials and residentialactivities were a greatopportunity to find outabout management work inother business and sectors.I learned that we all dealwith very similar problemsno matter what business weare in.I can say confidently thatI have delivered value in myroles of recent years and the

MBA study has been one ofthe contributing factors tothis. The workplace-basedproject work really influ-enced a change in my dayto day approach.I am now managing thestart-up phase of a full-scale distillery so my job isfocused mainly on projectmanaging a new Distilla-tion Hall build, installationand commissioning of newprocessing equipment.I will be developing thesystems for operating thedistillery, recruiting theteam and working withthe Directors on strategydevelopment to ensurewe position ourselves andbuild our reputation as adistillery making greatdrinks and a great place tovisit. The Open University’sMBA enhanced and refinedmy previous experience andhas given me the confi-dence to succeed in man-aging such a complex andimportant operation.

Graeme Millar is Operations Manager at The Echlinville Distillery, Northern Ireland’s first new licenseddistillery in over 125 years. He explains why he choose to study for an MBA with The Open University.

Life-changing Learning

GraemeMillar