MAJOR new investment will help open up more opportunities for people across Scotland by creating partnerships that improve access to higher education. The Open University in Scotland has secured support through the Scottish Funding Council’s University Transformation Framework to expand its ‘Catalyst Centre’ partnerships with five colleges. The investment comes at a pivotal moment as Scotland prepares for unprecedented growth linked to renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and innovation-led industries, and The Open University in Scotland is developing a model which makes real the tertiary potential of university-college partnerships. Martin Boyle, Principal of The Open University in Scotland, said: “This funding unlocks groundbreaking and innovative new partnerships across the country, supporting The Open University in Scotland to work with some of our key partner colleges to create new student opportunities. The Open University in Scotland’s proposal is one of seven university-led projects approved for support through the framework.