The Open University (OU) has a mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We promote educational opportunity and social justice by providing high-quality education to all who wish to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential. The provision of accessible education for all is something that David Dangoor and his family, through Dangoor Education, have passionately supported for many years. The family believe that education is vital, and, like the OU, they believe that where you start in life should not determine where you end up. Thanks to the support of Dangoor Education, we are able to continue to provide, and expand the range of educational resources that we offer, to give anybody the tools to achieve success.
In 2015, the OU created badged courses, which give learners the option to earn a digital badge on completion, in order to demonstrate their learning journey. The Dangoor Education courses on OpenLearn include some of the first badged courses. As of January 2021, OpenLearn has seen almost 200,000 learners to the Dangoor Education resources. The OpenLearn courses supported by Dangoor Education include:
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Could we control our climate?
Learn more to access more details of Could we control our climate?Climate crisis is one of the grand challenges we face as a society, but it can be hard to approach as a subject. Not only can the science at times seem dauntingly complex, but the solutions are also far from clear. This leaves many people feeling confused, guilty, anxious, angry, or else completely switched off from the subject. This course ...
Level: 1 Introductory
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An introduction to exoplanets
Learn more to access more details of An introduction to exoplanetsThis free course, An introduction to exoplanets, introduces our galaxy's population of planets, and some of their many surprises. It explains the methods used by astronomers to study exoplanets, and provides a general introduction to the methods of scientific inquiry. The course culminates in discussion of life elsewhere in our Galaxy.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Moons of our Solar System
Learn more to access more details of Moons of our Solar SystemIn this free course, Moons of our Solar System, explore the many moons of our Solar System. Find out what makes them special. Should we send humans to our Moon again?
Level: 1 Introductory
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Understanding autism
Learn more to access more details of Understanding autismLearn about autism, one of the most challenging long-term conditions of the century. This free course, Understanding autism, introduces the autism spectrum, how it is experienced by individuals and families, and why it has become a global concern. The course explains how understanding of the autism spectrum and approaches to diagnosis and care ...
Level: 1 Introductory
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Microgravity: living on the International Space Station
Learn more to access more details of Microgravity: living on the International Space StationThis free badged open course, Microgravity: living on the International Space Station, will help you to consider microgravity environments in more detail than before! You will make direct comparisons of some important physical values between the International Space Station (ISS), the Earth and the Moon.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Understanding antibiotic resistance
Learn more to access more details of Understanding antibiotic resistanceAntibiotic resistance is a serious threat, compromising our ability to treat infections and increasing the risk of routine surgery. Resistant infections are increasing due to overuse of antibiotics and this has resulted in the emergence of 'superbugs' (bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics). This free course, Understanding antibiotic ...
Level: 1 Introductory
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The science of nutrition and healthy eating
Learn more to access more details of The science of nutrition and healthy eatingThis free course, The science of nutrition and healthy eating, looks at the science behind nutrition, covering aspects of biology, chemistry and physics as well as giving some insight into healthier eating. Reading food labels, choosing healthier foods, hydrating appropriately and understanding how we taste food will allow you to be more ...
Level: 1 Introductory
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Can renewable energy sources power the world?
Learn more to access more details of Can renewable energy sources power the world?We ask the question ‘Can renewable energy sources power the world?’ as a response to the growing awareness that increased use of renewable energy technologies is making a major contribution to global efforts to limit anthropogenic climate change. The course begins by examining the environmental concerns that have caused a rise in interest in ...
Level: 1 Introductory
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Citizen science and global biodiversity
Learn more to access more details of Citizen science and global biodiversityThis free course, Citizen science and global biodiversity, deals with the importance of biodiversity and explores how anyone can contribute to and be involved in identifying and recording wildlife, as a citizen scientist. It looks at what citizen science is, and how citizen science facilitates public involvement in scientific research ...
Level: 1 Introductory
Dangoor Education
Naim and David Dangoor
Dangoor Education is part of the philanthropy of The Exilarch’s Foundation. The Foundation was set up in 1978 by Sir Naim Dangoor to promote education and Jewish causes. Sir Naim moved his family to Britain in 1960, when life for Jews became difficult in their home country of Iraq. Sir Naim had previously studied engineering at the University of London before setting up successful businesses in Iraq. In order to give others the gift of education, something the Dangoor family believe enabled them to start a new life in Britain, the Foundation has made supporting education a focus of their work.
In 2004, the Foundation created the Dangoor Scholarships which offered £1,000 to individuals applying to university who had no family history of higher education. After this £1 million scholarships programme, the Foundation created the Eliahou Dangoor Scholarships which were named after Sir Naim Dangoor’s father. This fund sponsored 4,000 students applying to study STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) and invested £4 million into higher education, with further matched funding from the Government.
The Foundation has made many other philanthropic gifts in the realms of education and healthcare. The commitment to education is demonstrated by Dangoor Education’s sponsorship of the Westminster Academy and most recently, the Foundation has, among other things, provided £5 million to enable Imperial College London to set up a world-leading cancer research centre.
dangooreducation.com has links to many of the projects that Dangoor Education has sponsored.
David Dangoor
David Dangoor studied physics at Imperial College London before working as a systems analyst for IBM. He has been a long-term supporter of the OU, and this support is demonstrative of David’s transformative and forward-thinking attitude towards education, providing chances for people – regardless of faith, location or background – to better themselves through the power of education.
David Dangoor with Nick Braithwaite and Martha Lane at an OU graduation ceremony where he received an Honorary Doctorate for his Services to Education (2022).
David’s philanthropic mission is much broader, however, and he is personally involved in UK–Israeli relations and the efforts of the Jewish community, both from Iraq and in the UK, having been entrusted with the role of Chair of the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London’s Faith Council. He is also the promoter and funder of the UK Israel Dangoor Health Initiative, a collaborative health accelerator programme aimed at connecting Israeli start-ups in the digital health field with the UK’s NHS. These examples, and multiple others, showcase David’s relentless mission of cross-border collaborative working for the benefit of others less fortunate than himself.
There is no doubt that through The Exilarch’s Foundation, David and his family will go on to transform the lives of thousands more individuals and enhance the education landscape for years to come. The OU will always be grateful for the support that he has given us and our learners.
Below are some of the projects kindly supported by Dangoor Education.
The Informal to Formal Accelerator Project
David committed support of over £1 million towards the OU’s Informal to Formal Accelerator project. This revolutionary gift enabled the OU to be at the forefront of the provision of STEM MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) on the FutureLearn and OpenLearn platforms. Thanks to David’s support, the OU was able to produce some of the first and most sophisticated MOOCs for the public through this brand new platform.
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Moons of our Solar System
Learn more to access more details of Moons of our Solar SystemIn this free course, Moons of our Solar System, explore the many moons of our Solar System. Find out what makes them special. Should we send humans to our Moon again?
Level: 1 Introductory
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Basic science: understanding numbers
Learn more to access more details of Basic science: understanding numbersThis free course, Basic science: understanding numbers, explains how you can use numbers to describe the natural world and make sense of everything from atoms to oceans.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Basic science: understanding experiments
Learn more to access more details of Basic science: understanding experimentsThis free course, Basic science: understanding experiments, introduces you to science-based skills through simple and exciting physics, chemistry and biology experiments.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Introduction to ecosystems
Learn more to access more details of Introduction to ecosystemsIf we don't grasp why ecosystems function, it becomes harder to determine possible reasons for when they don't, and makes it difficult to identify possible environmental threats to humans. In this free course, Introduction to ecosystems, you will discover how organisms are linked together by complex interrelationships, how such links are studied...
Level: 1 Introductory
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Histology, microscopy, anatomy and disease
Learn more to access more details of Histology, microscopy, anatomy and diseaseThis free course, Histology, microscopy, anatomy and disease, will help you understand the basic principles of light microscopy, before introducing you to histology, concentrating on the structure, function and relationship of normal human tissues.
Level: 1 Introductory
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In the night sky: Orion
Learn more to access more details of In the night sky: OrionIn this free course, In the night sky: Orion, you will explore the night sky, discover how stars formed and find out about exoplanets, all through the constellation of Orion.
Level: 1 Introductory
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The science of nuclear energy
Learn more to access more details of The science of nuclear energyThis free course, The science of nuclear energy, will delve into the science behind nuclear power and explain what happens inside a nuclear reactor and what it means for an element to be radioactive. It will explore some of the risks of producing nuclear power and examine the arguments for and against including it in future energy planning as ...
Level: 1 Introductory
Flexible Learning Fund
In 2018, Dangoor Education generously supported the OU’s application to the Government’s Flexible Learning Fund, a new £11.7 million fund investing in a range of projects to help more adults back into the classroom. The Flexible Learning Fund supports 32 innovative projects across England to encourage more people to take part in new training or courses that will help them progress in current employment or secure a new job. Projects are aimed at a range of skill levels, from teaching beginners, all the way through to those who already have a good understanding of a topic. As one of the 32 successful projects, The Open University worked with three regional further education colleges, community partners including Unison and WEA as well as Dangoor Education, Reed Recruitment and Impetus to help people develop their skills in English and maths through access to free online and for-fee college-based, blended learning approaches. You can access these courses below:
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Everyday English 1
Learn more to access more details of Everyday English 1This free course, Everyday English 1, will develop and improve your essential speaking and listening, reading and writing skills for work, study and everyday life.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Everyday maths 1
Learn more to access more details of Everyday maths 1This free course, Everyday maths 1, is designed to bring your learning to life, inspiring you to improve your current maths skills or helping you to remember any areas that you may have forgotten. Working through the examples and interactive activities in this course will help you to, among other things, run a household or make progress in your ...
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