THERE ARE more than 3,000 Open University students in the State, but many of them may not know that their own students' association has been in operation for the last five years.

"Distance learning students, like those in the OU, are very isolated and must make an effort to keep in touch with fellow students," says Maire O'Brien, the OU student organiser in the Republic of Ireland. With some students in more specialised disciplines spread thinly around the State, the OU offers computer conferencing and Internet facilities to help them stay in touch and access information.

On a more informal level, the OU Students' Association organises monthly gel togethers for students in each of its study centres, and the association boasts a number of student societies, included the Open Arts Club, which organises cultural outings, a geological society and, for the budding Tiger Woodses among them, a golf society.

OU students can obtain further information on the association from the regular OU newsletter sent to all students.