Accessible education: AIOU introduces MSc degree for remote areas

The programme will encompass multiple disciplines starting from the next academic year.

ISLAMABAD:

Supplementing ongoing efforts to provide equal accessibility to quality education for all, the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will soon launch an MSc degree programme in remote and backward regions.

The programme will encompass multiple disciplines, namely physics, chemistry, mass communication and statistics among others, starting from the next academic year, said a press release issued here on Friday.

The AIOU has already allocated Rs50 million for setting up well-equipped laboratories in such regions to facilitate the students. Computer-based and e-learning education in remote regions like Umerkot and Mitthi has also been enabled.

The number of AIOU regional campuses has increased from 36 to 42 during the last three years, with a proposed increase to 72 by 2017.

A model computer-based campus has also been established in Umerkot.

The facility of video conferencing is being provided at the campuses as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2014.