Director Jonathan Michie looks back over the past year

'2010 contained many exciting developments, and I invite you to view our slideshow of the Department's highlights of the past year.'

'The Oxford University Foreign Service Programme joined the Department this past year, bringing three new award-bearing programmes in diplomacy, and we created five new Oxford qualifications courses and six new online courses in 2010.'

'Marianne Talbot, our University Lecturer in Philosophy, had her Critical Reasoning for Beginners podcast hit the 'global number one' slot on iTunes U; both this and her Philosophy for Beginners podcast were in the global top ten several times this year. And we had over 2500 students attend a wide variety of science courses and events as part of the University's 'Year of Science' celebrations.'

'Two wonderful outreach projects received funding this year: our East Oxford Community Archaeology project, which explores the archaeologically rich region to the east of central Oxford, received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.'

'Also funded was our Maths in the City project, the brainchild of our Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science, Marcus du Sautoy, which seeks to highlight the fundamental role that maths plays in our day-to-day lives. I would encourage your participation with either or both of these projects over the coming year.'

'Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education began over 130 years ago for the purpose of extending Oxford's scholarship to those who would not otherwise have access to it. By the early 20th century we were teaching weekly classes from Carlisle in the north to Penzance in the southwest. A century later we offer more than 700 courses to more than 15,000 students annually and, thanks to technology, we are able to reach students around the world.'

'In these early years of the 21st century we find ourselves again at the forefront of the university continuing education movement. This year we supported the broader community by offering 78 evening classes at the University of Reading after the unfortunate closure of their department for continuing education. In the coming years the challenges presented by the last government's changes in funding for education and the current government's comprehensive spending review are likely to be as serious as any the Department has faced in its history.'

'Much is still unclear about the government's funding plans for continuing education, but the next few years will certainly be challenging. I will make it my business to work with colleagues in the Department and across the University to ensure we continue to offer first-class programmes, and indeed continue to develop our portfolio of programmes for the better.'

'I look forward to seeing you in the Department in the New Year.'

Professor Jonathan Michie
Director, Oxford University Department for Continuing Education