Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch showed his support for The Open University in Scotland on the 24th of February and later commented on the importance of encouraging part time education to widen access to education.

The Open University in Scotland has around 15,000 students supported by 550 tutors across the country and works with the Scottish Government, the Scottish Funding Council, politicians and key external organisations in Scotland to help ensure higher education policy and funding outcomes are favourable to the University and its students.

Mr Thompson said, “I was happy to discuss the merits of part time education with Kenny Stewart of the Open University in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 24 February.

“I have long understood the benefits of part time study, having gained a number of qualifications that way, and it is not just the economic benefit, but the widening of access to education for more of the general population too.

“For those that work, or those that have caring responsibilities, or those not from backgrounds where study is the norm, through part time study these folk get the chance to learn at a time of their convenience, which is great”.