Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald Visits The Open University in Ireland to Discuss Skills, Access, and Innovation in Higher Education

Three people stand side by side, smiling, in a formal indoor setting. They are all dressed in business attire. The person on the left is wearing a dark blue suit with a polka-dot tie. The person in the middle is wearing a checkered grey suit with a pale pink blouse and glasses. The person on the right is wearing a dark three-piece suit with a striped tie and glasses. Behind them is a screen with partially visible text referencing The Open University in Ireland and Vice-Chancellor Dave Phoenix.

The Open University in Ireland (OUiI) today welcomed the Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, to its Belfast office for a strategic discussion on skills development, the role of flexible, part-time study in driving regional growth, and higher education funding.

This marks Minister Archibald’s first official visit to The Open University since her appointment earlier this year. She was greeted by Professor Dave Phoenix, the new Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, and John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Ireland, alongside senior colleagues and officials from the Department for the Economy.

The meeting focused on the University’s vital contribution to the Minister’s Economic Vision, particularly in widening access to higher education, addressing skills gaps across Northern Ireland, and supporting inclusive economic growth through lifelong learning.

As outlined in the OU’s Strategic Outcome Agreement for 2024/25, the University has made significant progress in delivering on the Minister’s four economic missions:

  • Supporting good jobs by enhancing graduate employability, launching a new BSc in Computer Science with AI, and offering exclusive virtual internships with local employers.
  • Boosting productivity by enabling over 750 learners to enrol onto Skill Up funded courses and increasing participation in digital and numeracy courses through initiatives like Multiply.
  • Promoting decarbonisation through a 9% increase in environmental course registrations and achieving Responsible Futures accreditation.

This foundation sets the stage for the new Strategic Outcome Agreement for 2025/26, which has just been submitted to the Department and reflects a deepened commitment to addressing the region’s skills needs, access challenges, and sustainability goals.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dave Phoenix reaffirmed the OU’s commitment to innovation and regional balance, stating: “The Open University has a unique presence across Northern Ireland and Ireland, bringing learning opportunities to people in every county. Our model is built on inclusion and designed to reach those traditionally left behind by mainstream education. We're proud to support the Minister’s goals of regional balance, raising productivity, creating good jobs, and decarbonisation.”

Minister Archibald welcomed the opportunity to engage with The Open University and praised their ongoing work: “The Open University plays a vital role in delivering accessible, high-quality education across the north. Its innovative, part-time model opens up opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, providing the skills needed to develop our workforce and support my Economic Vision."

“I commend OU for its ongoing work to deliver real impact, particularly through new courses and modules, regional partnerships, research and innovation, and initiatives like Skill Up and Multiply.”

John D’Arcy emphasised the OU’s role in the upcoming Higher Education Funding Review:

"We welcome the opportunity to work with the Department to pursue a more sustainable and equitable funding model that supports part-time learners. Flexible, lifelong learning is not just our mission, it's an essential part of creating good jobs, raising productivity and delivering fair economic growth.”