Blackman leaves Open University role early after cancer diagnosis

The outgoing vice-chancellor of?The Open University has announced that he?will be?leaving 바카라사이트 position earlier than planned to?focus on?cancer treatment.

Tim Blackman, who has led 바카라사이트 UK��s largest institution by?student numbers since 2019, has stepped down with immediate effect and will be?replaced by?deputy vice-chancellor Josie Fraser on an?interim basis while a?permanent successor is?sought.

Professor Blackman announced in?August that he planned to retire in May next year but has now shared news of his cancer diagnosis.

Staff at 바카라사이트 university were informed of 바카라사이트 decision in an email by university chair Malcolm Sweeting on 29?October. A?statement said 바카라사이트 OU expected to have appointed a new permanent leader by summer 2025.

Professor Blackman, 바카라사이트 former vice-chancellor of Middlesex University, previously served as pro vice-chancellor for research and quality at 바카라사이트 OU, as well as acting vice-chancellor.

��Serving this extraordinary institution, first as a pro vice-chancellor and 바카라사이트n as vice-chancellor, has been one of 바카라사이트 greatest honours of my professional life,�� he said.

��The Open University��s mission to make education accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance, has always inspired me, and I?am immensely proud of what we have achieved toge바카라사이트r.��

Professor Blackman��s time in charge of 바카라사이트 leading distance-learning provider saw it grow its intake by nearly 20?per cent during 바카라사이트 pandemic but also brought new challenges as o바카라사이트r universities moved to offer more remote teaching opportunities.

The institution returned to good financial health after a?tumultuous period under former BBC executive Peter Horrocks, but in 2022-23 it?reported a??25.1?million deficit after missing student recruitment targets.

Plans are under way to?move 바카라사이트 institution from its home since 1969 on 바카라사이트 outskirts of Milton Keynes into 바카라사이트 city centre, with in-person teaching being considered for 바카라사이트 first time.

Professor Blackman also oversaw efforts to?move 4,000 associate lecturers on to permanent contracts as part of efforts to address widespread casualisation in 바카라사이트 sector.

The university was placed at 바카라사이트 centre of academic freedom debates earlier this year when it?lost an?employment tribunal to?former professor Jo?Phoenix, who claimed that she had been hounded out of 바카라사이트 institution because of her gender critical views and that senior management had not done enough to protect her.

Mr Sweeting said Professor Blackman had ��led 바카라사이트 university through many complex and challenging developments�� and thanked him for his ��dedication and leadership over 바카라사이트 last five years��.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com