Distance learning: National Assembly body endorses AIOU’s initiatives

Dr Siddiqui assured the members that the university would make further efforts for improving educational facilities

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly (NA)’s Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training has endorsed various initiatives of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) to promote distance learning.

The committee in its meeting held on the university’s main campus on Monday lauded the various steps taken during the last two years through enhanced facilities to promote education, especially in far-flung areas.

The meeting, presided over by the committee’s chairperson, Amirullah Marwat, was also attended by Minister of State for Federal Education Baligur Rehman and the Higher Education Commission Chairperson, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed.

The AIOU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Shahid Siddiqui, briefed the panel about the university’s performance, working and achievements.



While ensuring their full support to the university in implementation of its future development plans particularly launch of an educational TV channel, the committee members made various suggestions for improvement of teaching, monitoring and examination system.

They emphasised that there should be zero tolerance towards submission of plagiarised assignments by the students.

The members emphasised on maintaining quality education and strengthening regional officials.

They suggested holding of regular tutorial meetings and consolidating students-teachers links.

The committee’s chairperson said they were satisfied with the AIOU’s performance and achievements in the educational sector.

Rehman said that university’s research-oriented and community-based academic programmes were highly commendable.

He also underlined the need for massive online courses.

The NA committee also lauded the vice-chancellor’s special initiatives regarding the provision of free education to prisoners and setting up an accessibility centre for visually-impaired students.

It recommended that the available facilities for the special students should be expanded.

Dr Siddiqui assured the members that the university would make further efforts for improving existing educational facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2016.