Martin Bean, Open University (OU) Vice Chancellor designate, gave a talk at the OU Milton Keynes on Monday. On appointment he had said:
It is an honour to have been selected as the next Vice-Chancellor of The Open University. It is a unique and amazing institution that has changed the lives of millions through its commitment to furthering social justice and to making higher education and educational opportunity accessible to all. I look forward to combining my passion for education and technology to lead The Open University over the coming years, as we continue to provide innovative and high quality distance education solutions to meet the needs of the 21st Century.
His speech on Monday was inspiring, self-deprecating and (judging by reactions in the hall and afterwards) a successful Hello to all the people he’ll be working with when he starts. Key points for me and quotes (in no particular order) were:
- economic prosperity is underpinned by education at all levels
- the recession will put incredible pressure on governments to look at the skill-levels we have
- in an increasingly flat world, the skills agenda will be on every policy agenda
- 21st century skills need to be modelled and developed
- Read the rest of this entry »
