AIOU expanding network to facilitate maximum students.

ISLAMABAD, July 05, 2009 (Balochistan Times) -- The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is all set to expand its distance education network to provide access to maximum number of students, particularly living in the far-flung areas. The new education policy envisages enrollment of all children in schools for the better future of the country, Vice Chancellor AIOU, Prof. Dr. Mehmood-ul-Hassan told reporter. He said that out of 170 million population, 68 million are under the age of 14 years, adding that out of these only 33 million are enrolled in schools. He said that the AIOU would recruit as many as 919 persons in various departments and faculties to further expand its distance education system. The recruitment would be made merely on merit basis to ensure provision of qualitative and standards education to our youth, Hassan added. He said that President and Chancellor of the varsity, Asif Ali Zardari has already given approval for recruiting the staff. In first phase, 417 post would be filled purely on merit to strengthen existing departments and opening of new disciplines. He said AIOU was the largest varsity, having 1.9 million students enrolled in various disciplines adding that the number of students was increasing with every passing year. He said that currently there were 36 departments and four faculties and the varsity has awarded about 1.2 million degrees and diplomas it its so far. The university has recently started four year programmes in microbiology and chemistry while faculty of education would be established next year to offer four years degree course in education. The VC said that over Rs 2 billion budget for next financial year would be presented before Finance committee next week adding that the current budget would be Rs.400 million more as compared to the previous year. He said that HEC and government only provide 10 per cent of recurring expenditure of the varsity and rest of the other amount is generated by the university itself. Replying to a question, the VC said that plagiarism was a cancer and the university was taking concrete steps to stop this practices, adding that assignments of MBA were rechecked to discourage this menace. He said that quality enhancement cell was also set up to asses the standard of education. The VC said that the university would set up examination centre for internally displaced persons at their camps to facilitate students of these areas. The university staff also contributed generously for the relief of IDPs and one day salary was also given in relief fund. A plan was also afoot to waive off fee of students of these areas, he revealed.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)