University moves a few degrees north to Shetland

Published on Friday 17 July 2009 22:18

FOR most students, the graduation ceremony is a landmark occasion to celebrate hard-earned achievement in front of friends and family.

However, for Shetlanders who gain their degrees from the Open University, it has always involved a long hike south to Glasgow or even London, which many are unable to attend.

Those who do travel often receive their degree without their parents and family being able to join them.

But now, for the first time in the islands' history, there will be a graduation ceremony on Shetland.

To mark the Open University's 40th anniversary, the distance learning provider has decided to host an event in recognition of the organisation's special relationship with the islands.

About one in every 100 adults in Shetland is currently studying with the OU, about 160 students at any one time – the highest participation rate for OU study anywhere in the UK.

The high proportion is due to the fact the remote island group does not have its own university, although access to higher education has been boosted by the creation of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

As only about 20 candidates complete their course in any given year, the OU has opened up the ceremony to anyone who has completed their course over the past decade.

The ceremony is taking place on 5 September at the Town Hall in Lerwick and 22 graduates, mostly from this year's cohort, have confirmed their attendance.

Professor Brenda Gourley, the Open University's vice-chancellor, will travel north to preside over the ceremony and confer the degrees.

The Open University's director in Scotland Peter Syme said: "Shetland fills a special place in the history and fabric of the OU.

"Taking our 40th anniversary degree ceremony to Lerwick emphasises the OU's reach across the UK, and the community partnership and support that make our work possible."

Tavish Scott, local MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, will also be taking part.

He said: "Because of geography, the Open University has always been very important to Shetlanders as a way to undertake a wide variety of academic courses."

He added: "The celebration, therefore, of degrees being awarded to islanders, is as it should be in demonstrating the geographic spread of the Open University's appeal. I look forward to a great day."

The university is holding a series of events to mark its 40th anniversary.

A programme of celebrity lectures will include Philip Pullman, author of the His Dark Materials trilogy, and chef Prue Leith, in October.

CASE STUDY

SARAH Kay, 27, from Whalsay on Shetland, was unable to travel to London to graduate and made do with a studio photograph instead.

Now she is delighted to take part in a ceremony with her mother watching.

After school, she worked in the same fish-processing factory as her mother, but also began studying for a degree in science with the Open University. Now, she works part-time for the council as a social care worker and has a business running holiday cottages.

"Open University was an opportunity to get an education without having to move. I was brought up in a single-parent family with no money, so it was important that I earned money at the same time," she said.