AIOU issues new assignment submission policy

Student opposes policy as being unreasonable

ISLAMABAD: The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Monday rolled out a new policy to receive assignments from post-graduate students, noting that they can only be submitted through email.

In a notification issued by the varsity on Monday, students enrolled in Bachelors of Studies, Bachelors of Education (BEd), Masters, Masters in Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) programmes have been advised to send their scheduled assignments to their designated tutors through a computerised system.

The varsity said that the move is part of its digital transformation and is aimed at facilitating students and the tutors. The varsity hoped that the system will make the entire academic and services' network more efficient and transparent.

Students can submit their assignments through the university's website (www.aaghi.aiiou.edu.pk) after logging in with their registered information (provided through the SMS for Autumn, 2019 semester).

Moreover, the varsity said that students have been allowed to submit multiple assignments together for the semester by April 15. Students have been encouraged to contact the university via [e-mail] , in case of any query.

Meanwhile, at least one student has objected to the system. In an email to The Express Tribune, a student who identified himself as Anwar Baig argued that it was quite difficult for students to fulfil this requirement when they do not have computers at home.

“One assignment has Approximately 30 to 40 pages, so one has to get it scanned or pictured and then upload and then send to the said tutor and then wait for the receipt of the said assignments in proper shape and confirm nothing has been missing in the pages and all the pages have been received correctly to the tutors,” Baig wrote, adding that it will only frustrate students.

He urged the government to ensure commitments under EFA are implemented.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2020.