The Open University has been my home since I was 16 years old. I grew up and progressed here thanks to skills I cultivated in learning how to meet challenges, solving problems and learning how to parse the essence of goals placed before me. Even though these goals seemed to be very long-term, I learned how to achieve them in a methodical way. I improved both as a student and as an individual who grew up and matured in the special Open University environment of warmth and support.

For me, the Open University was a warm and friendly environment that enabled me to blossom. It's important to note that all during my years here at Open University, never was I given the feeling, neither by faculty nor other students, that I am handicapped or limited in any way. Instead they encouraged and supported me, and their entire relationship with me could only be described as perfect. For me the Open University was nothing less than home and family.

All graduates sitting here this evening... are endowed with a mixture of special qualities endemic to Open University students. Highly motivated, determined (same may call this stubbornness) multi-taskers and time managers, independent learning skills, the ability to update as needed, and the ability to meet challenges. As a result of the lessons learned at Open University, we are able to meet challenges in studies, as well as at our workplace and in any environment in which there is a need to solve problems and achieve goals.