AIOU sets up new money-transaction system

Move will facilitate 70,000 tutors, pensioners.

The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will soon switch over to a new money-transaction system for paying around 70,000 tutors across the country through mobile wallet or credit card, according to a press release.

Gradually, the facility will be available to thousands of its pensioners.

A memorandum of understanding will be signed with a bank this month to formally launch the system. This was announced by AIOU Vice-Chancellor Dr Shahid Siddiqui while addressing an iftar-reception on Tuesday at the university’s main campus, said a press release.

Under the new system, the dues will be credited to allotted card for encashment at ATMs. The tutors will be informed about their dues through text message and they will also be able to apply for a mobile wallet.

The relevant bank will carry out the process through a separate arrangement and a credit card facility will also be available to resource persons all over the country.

Siddiqui said the new system will save tutors from hassle of collecting
and depositing cheques and going to bank for cash withdrawal.

The new system will also save time of preparation of cheques, cost of cheque, courier charges and corresponding overhead cost.

The vice-chancellor said the university was taking a number of other initiatives as well to reform various students and teachers-related services. New academic programmes are also going to be announced soon. Special focus is being laid on the welfare of officers and employees, he added.

Siddiqui said quality education, faculty development and research-oriented programmes will be priority areas of his future efforts for upgrading the status and image of university.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2015.