Helping hand: AIOU allocates Rs115m for needy students

ISLAMABAD:

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has allocated Rs115 million for a students’ support fund to help needy students in the shape of fee remission or scholarships.

AIOU Vice-Chancellor Dr Shahid Siddiqui in a meeting with senior university officials said the varsity has set a unique example of helping needy students.

The financial support is in line with the government’s policy to encourage deserving and talented youth to continue higher education.

The university has recently launched nine schemes under which financial support has been extended on a regular basis. These schemes are implemented through the university’s regional offices across the country and a special criterion has been laid down to ensure transparency in the implementation of these schemes.

Scholarships are given to those students who secure 75% marks in their particular discipline. They are supported through fee remission or scholarships.

There is a special scheme named ‘Earn to Learn’ which provides internships and part-time jobs to deserving students to help meet their educational expenditures.

This scheme is the first of its kind introduced in the country.

Scholarships are offered to students hailing from remote regions where literacy rates are below 50 per cent.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2015.