This book examines what 47 of the 80+ open universities around the world do and how well they do it. There are also some chapters that critically assess the state of open universities in various regions and the challenges they face. Beautifully produced, despite being a very substantial volume (692 pages), this will become essential reading for all who study online, open and distance education around the world. 

The authors include some of the leading figures in open education — Sir John Daniel, Alan Tait, Paul Prinsloo, Stephen Murgatroyd, Som Naidu, Santosh Panda, Don Olcot and Sanjaya Mishra — and is filled with insights and inspiring achievements coupled with major challenges facing the open education movement. 

Not all open universities are fully open, and some are struggling against fierce competition from more traditional providers offering learning online, bootcamps and micro-credentials — changing the landscape in which these institutions operate. Like the previous book reviewed here, this will also be a major resource for anyone looking at the past, present and future of higher education and who has been inspired by possibilities.  Policymakers also need to explore this book. It contains many examples of success and not so successful outcomes and unintended consequences of policy decisions.