The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are launching a joint project to provide skill-based training to citizens in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) who are being set up along the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“Initially, training will be started in Rashakai and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Industrial Zones, and later its scope will be extended to all other SEZs,” said AIOU Vice Chancellor Dr Ziaul Qayyum. He added that the varsity has designed a specific course to train local people. The course has been developed keeping in view the specific requirements of the industrial zones, so that individuals could easily find jobs, and benefit from the multi-billion CPEC project, he added.
The VC expressed the hope that this would be a sustainable model to engage local people. He added that the university was already in the process of designing courses in this regard. The VC said that it was the basic mandate of the varsity since its establishment to provide skill-based education to people.
Read JWG discusses science, IT-related CPEC projects
The university has devised special courses in Information Technology (IT), tractor repairing, poultry, and farming to provide equip citizens with relevant skills, he said.
He added that the university arranged courses in tailoring and embroidery through private partnerships to train girls in the G-B region. The VC said that the university was providing education to everyone, irrespective of their age, gender or social status. He added that there was no age limit on acquiring education from AIOU, adding free education was also being provided to the transgender community, jail inmates and children of martyrs. He further added that concession was also being provided to orphans and poor students. He said the university was also going to extend education programmes being provided to jail inmates. In this regard, he said that he has already hold meetings with Inspectors General (IGs) so that education could be provided to those children who were in jails with their mothers.
Regarding faculty development programme, the VC said 45 members would be sent abroad for Ph.D on university expenses, while the human resource and administrative training would also be provided to them.
He said the admission process was also divided into phases for the convenience of students, and papers were also being sent to other regional offices randomly for marking to reduce the burden on the main campus.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2021.
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