New horizons: AIOU to launch MSc degrees in nutrition, environment

ISLAMABAD:

The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will launch MSc degrees in public nutrition and sustainable environmental design, from the autumn semester next year, to facilitate in-service doctors and engineers in upgrading their professional skills.

This was announced by vice chancellor (VC) Dr Shahid Siddiqui while addressing an academic workshop on ‘Community health and nutrition’ at the main campus on Monday, said a press release.

“Public nutrition degree programme is designed to improve public health and wellbeing. Through this programme, professionals will be guided to make decisions regarding disease management by applying knowledge about the relationship between diet and health from a nutrition science perspective,” university spokesperson Javed Akhtar told The Express Tribune, quoting the VC.

Regarding the environmental design programme, he said it was being designed, for engineers and architects, to make building designs as per local conditions, to explore potential of sustainable development to address environmental and social challenges. The programme is developed in regards to local climatic conditions and ecological materials, he added.

Akhtar further said that both courses will be of two-year duration and fee structure per semester will be between Rs20,000 and 25,000. Initially, the programmes will be launched as pilot project for students of twin cities and around 200 students will be enrolled, he said. Gradually it will be extended to other major cities, the spokesperson added.

The workshop arranged by department of home and health sciences was conducted by its chairperson Dr Nomana Anjum. It was attended by medical practitioners from various parts of the country.

Siddiqui said the university attaches high priority to community health sector and wishes to undertake health-related projects through its educational pursuits.

The workshop covered various important health and food-related topics including nutrient and microbial analysis of local food and drinks sold in open market and study of nutritional deficiency diseases.

The VC announced that the university will hold an international conference on health, nutrition and environmental design next year to project community based health and environmental issues and suggest solutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2015.