Promoting religious education: AIOU inks accord with US academy

The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and Baytul Iman Academy New Jersey (USA) signed an agreement on Wednesday to provide educational facilities to American Muslims and overseas Pakistanis for learning and promoting Islamic knowledge as per the teachings of Quran and Sunnah.

It was decided that AIOU will enroll the overseas students for the Islamic studies programme and hold examinations for awarding degrees and certificates to successful students as per the university’s rules.

The agreement was signed by Baytul Ima Academy President Dr Salman Zafar Sheikh and AIOU Registrar Dr Nowshad Khan at a ceremony held at the university’s main campus.

As per the agreement, the American academy, which is an award winning educational institution for religious and secular learning, will coordinate the academic teachings and infrastructure services of students. Only those students who meet the required criteria set by the university will be enrolled for the study of Islamic studies.

According to the programme’s coordinator, Dr Shah Moeenuddin Hashmi, the academy will provide tutorial support to enrolled students and arrange their continuous assessment in a manner duly approved by AIOU.

AIOU Vice-Chancellor Dr Ali Asghar Chishti termed the agreement an important development in imparting religious education for American Muslims and overseas Pakistanis, particularly those living in USA.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2014.