PHOTO: aiou.edu.pk
ISLAMABAD:
The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has announced to provide free education up to BA level to prisoners as part of a wider jails reforms programme.
The university has dispatched prospectuses and admission forms to jail authorities for distribution among the inmates free of cost, said a press release issued by the university on Sunday.
The admission process for prisoners has also been simplified.
“The university has prepared a plan to facilitate prisoners under jails reforms plan, which is being pursued under the directions of the Supreme Court. The plan is aimed at bringing maximum number of prisoners in the educational net, enabling them to become useful citizens after completing their imprisonment,” said a press release issued by the university.
Siddiqui said a transparent and viable procedure has been worked out for the provision of educational facilities to prisoners. It has been decided that education from matriculation to BA level will be made free for all prisoners with other incentives, he said.
The proposed plan includes a detailed procedure of tutorial meetings, workshops and examinations to be held in jails. It was also decided that each jail will be declared ‘Prisoner Study Centre’.
In order to make the scheme more effective, practical and problem-free, it was also decided that jail superintendents will act as coordinators and will be paid remuneration for this purpose every semester.
Teacher to be nominated in jails will act as assistant to coordinator. They will also get remuneration. Teachers will also perform duty of centre superintendent during the examination, which will be conducted within jail premises.
The university will stamp all the material it will send to jail authorities for inmates with “Only for prisoners” to make sure that the material is used by prisoners only.
Joins hand with Nigerian varsity
Meanwhile, AIOU and Sokoto State University, Nigeria, on Monday agreed to collaborate in several fields including scientific research and professional development.
The vice-chancellors of the two universities met here, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the institutes.
It was decided that the two universities would focus on research-based study in areas of common interest.
An 11-member delegation from the Nigerian university was present on the occasion.
The two universities also agreed to jointly organise an international conference on social sciences next year. The universities will also hold several student exchange programmes.
The MoU also formulated a mechanism for student as well as faculty exchange visits.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2016.
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