Al-Azhar, AIOU collaborate to promote study of Urdu, Arabic

Agree on exchange programmes, mutual cooperation

A 12-member delegation comprising of female students and faculty members of Al-Azhar, Egypt (Urdu department) on Thursday visited Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and showed a keen interest in promoting a collaborative partnership.

The visit was part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier between the two sides for promoting study of Urdu and Arabic languages at higher education level. On the proposal of the AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zia ul Qayyum, it was agreed that the scope of the MoU will be further expanded so the students of both universities can learn each other’s languages, as well as expand on their own language’s vocabulary.



During discussion, held on the occasion, it was agreed that the two universities will work out further areas of cooperation in promoting Urdu-Arabic based research work.

The Egypt delegation, led by Prof Dr Noha Mostafa on its arrival was welcomed by Dr Qayyum, and other senior academicians and principal officers of the University.

The visit was arranged in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. It was noted that the two sides have already started mutual cooperation and students’ exchange programme under the MoU.

Dr Qayyum assured that the AIOU will extend necessary support to the students of Al Azhar for learning the languages at M. Phil and PhD level.



He lauded the reputation and academic-ranking of Al-Azhar world over, particularly in Muslim countries. It will be a source of pride for AIOU to have close partnership with it in the educational sector.

The AIOU, being the country’s biggest educational institution, in term of its students’ enrollment and country-wide infrastructure network will be prepared for strengthening the mutual cooperation between two Muslim countries. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2018.