Socially-responsible citizens: AIOU, Red Crescent to promote spirit of volunteerism
University to sign MoU with PRCS to introduce pertinent programs in primary, secondary syllabi.
University to sign MoU with PRCS to introduce pertinent programs in primary, secondary syllabi. PHOTO: FILE
One solution for boosting the spirit of volunteerism among the country’s youth is introducing relevant curricular literature and extracurricular activities.
Building on this notion, the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has now decided to include a Red Crescent chapter in its primary and secondary level syllabi as a means to motivate students, said a press release. The announcement was made by the AIOU Vice Chancellor Dr Nazir Sangi at the award ceremony conducted to honour the students who won international awards, bringing laurels to the country.
For this, an MoU will be signed between the university and Pakistan Red Crescent Society in the immediate future.
The chief guest, PRCS Secretary General Dr Mahboob Sardar, thanked the AIOU management for acknowledging the youths’ contributions and encouraging them further.
“Our volunteers form the backbone of PRCS activities. The society has a committed base of 253,000 volunteers hailing from every nook and corner of Pakistan, representing their communities and thus attaining acceptability with everyone, everywhere in Pakistan. Our volunteers have participated in every disaster response operations undertaken by the PRCS fearlessly and selflessly with complete dedication,” boasted Sardar.
Among the many accomplishments of PCRS volunteers are the highly-sought-after 2011 “International Volunteering Development Award”, as well as the 2013 “Youth on the Move” award won by an AIOU student Nazia Mazhar’s project proposal on “Health Wealthy Pakistan”.
Concluding the event, Sangi promised to add to its community of over 1.4 million students over the country, especially strengthening basic and higher education in underprivileged rural areas of Sindh and Balochistan. Appreciating the hard work of the award-winning students, he promised to closely with the Red Crescent and other humanitarian organizations to boost the trend of voluntary services in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2014.