Allama Iqbal Open University

"Of all the measures adapted at government level to eradicate illiteracy, the decision to establish AIOU was, undoubtedly, very important; as the university not only introduced a radical concept of education, but also devised a result oriented mechanism which is benefiting millions of students of both genders".
These remarks were expressed by President General Pervez Musharraf, also the Chancellor of the university, in his special message to the 6th central convocation (Islamabad Chapter) of the university. Over three hundred and fifty students, both male and female hailing from Islamabad and AJ&K were awarded degrees ranging from Bachelor to Ph. D and gold medals were conferred on distinguished students by Pro Chancellor, Federal Minister for Education Ltd. General (Retd) Javed Ashraf Qazi and Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Syed Altaf Hussain.
In his address Minister for Education emphasised that no nation can progress and prosper without raising its educational standard. Lieutenant General (Retd) Javed Ashraf Qazi expressed his pleasure in participating the convocation.
He lauded the university for having held convocation in all the four provinces during the last three years.
He called it a federal university in real sense as it has pervasive network in the country and it is upholding the Pakistani values; its courses of studies are meeting the demands and needs of our society.
He said that the university really deserves a lot of praise for having designed programmes of different disciplines from Matric to Ph.D. Along with formal education, informal and technical education is the hallmark of this university which is really very beneficial for different segments of the society. Illiteracy and lack of skilled manpower are the biggest hurdles in our progress and there is a dire need to remove theses obstacles this very phenomenon remains the hub of educational policies of AIOU, which following Government's policies, has taken technical education to the doorstep of masses of far flung and difficult areas.
Strong and stable Pakistan remains our cherished hope; and to accomplish this hope we have to eliminate illiteracy and increase the skilled work force. This is an era of science and technology and perforce we have to keep pace with the fast changing world. He added that the President of Pakistan has set a target "Literate Pakistan" which is a guaranty to our survival and progress; as it is an admitted fact that progress without education is impossible.
In his address the Federal Minister emphasised that awardees of degrees are the future of Pakistan; if they set honesty and continuos struggle as their principles of life, they will never fail. Father of the nation gave us the motto "Work and Work: which will surely change their life if acted upon.
In his address professor Dr. Syed Altaf Hussain, Vice Chancellor of the university said that internal development of the university and achievement of targets in spreading education took 30 years record time. With the grace of Almighty Allah and the benediction of the name "Allama Iqbal" the university has achieved unmatched progress and popularity which no other university can claim. During the last one year the number of students has gone above 5 lacs; surely, such a big enrolment is the proof of its credibility of educational standard. At present the university is offering 105 programmes from, Matric to Ph. D with 1069 courses and the number of students is constantly increasing. Apart from central campus of Islamabad there are 86 regional campuses, offices and co-ordinating offices actively engaged in spreading education.
In recognition to its matchless achievement university has won the honour of being included in the "Club of 16 Mega universities of the world" in the "Head of universities" conference held in Shanghai China in 2003. Professor Dr. Syed Altaf Hussain told that text books of the university are printed by the University's "Print Production Unit". During this educational year 1.8 million books on 985 subjects were printed which surpasses, by many multiples, the number printed by any other text book board of the country. Besides 11.7 million copies of allied material were also printed. With the collaboration of faculty and institute of educational technology, 2597 radio and 530 television programmes have been prepared in the university. Under a recent agreement the government of Japan has supplied IET equipment costing 40.8 million which will increase its efficiency.
Students are being facilitated with guidance of part time teachers in educational centers. At present the number of university trained and selected tutors rises above 32 thousand. With the collaboration of different science institutions, many important post graduate programmes like M.Phil in disciplines of Physics, Chemistry, Statistics and food & nutrition; Ph.D in Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics; M.Sc in forestry extension and M.Sc (Hons) in Live Stock Management and Agriculture Extension have been launched. The project "University Research Complex" equipped with all the modern facilities of Science Laboratory of international standard with the aim to provide congenial and work oriented environment to scholars of all discipline under one roof surely a giant leap, is in hand.
Professor Dr Syed Altaf Hussain added that efforts are being made to beautify the out look of the university as it plays an important role in education. Broadening and beautification of main gate; widening of old roads, walking tracks, parking areas; construction of new roads; abundance of greenery and seasonal flowers in well shaped beds now present a neat, clean and complacent look to the visitors. By dint of it high standard of education and efficiency the university is receiving offers of co-operation and assistance from different international foreign institutions; and the university, too, is capitalising this assistance.
In Co-operation and assistance by "Dandy University of Britain under Higher Education Link"; M.Sc in Environmental Design, Ph.D and M.Phil programmes in "Food and Nutrition" is sponsored by British Council and "M.Sc Rural Development" in Collaboration with Imperial College, "Executive MBA and Executive MPA with the assistance of "Common Wealth of Learning (Canada) speak loud that education standard of AIOU is abreast of international universities.
Highlighting the achievements of this multipurpose university in the fields of IT and computer programmes the Chancellor added that its success mainly owed to its flexible educational system completely identical with ever changing needs of the time.
Realising the promotion of affinity and fraternity between different nations and regions through learning and study of their languages and literature AIOU has established a full fledged department of Pakistani languages.
While the university is pacing well in worldly education, it has never ignored the importance of religious education. By establishing "Faculty of Islamic Studies" it is endeavouring to bring religious education and religious students in line with social life. The educational frontiers of the university fully correspond with the geographical and ideological frontiers of Pakistan. For the first time in its history, AIOU has out-reached from the limits of Islamabad to all the four provinces and provincial convocations which met with considerable applause and acceptance; and here we are witnessing its climax in shape of this central convocation.