HEC, AIOU to introduce national policy on open distance learning soon

Islamabad: Higher Education Commission of Pakistan in association along with Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will introduce a national policy on open distance learning (ODL) within next few months.

This statement was given by the chairperson of HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed while addressing the closing session of the 2-day national seminar, organized at the AIOU.

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The seminar, attended by the representatives of 13 institutes including HEC and the major universities of the country formulated a draft policy-document on ODL after worn-out discussion on its different features for deliberation of HEC.

The seminar was a follow-up of an international conference which was organized at AIOU in May last year, on the initiative of Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, Vice Chancellor of AIOU that is pioneering institution in successfully running the ODL system since 1974.

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Highlighting the dire need of such policy, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said that the commission will circulate the proposed draft document among the stake-holders for their last feed-back and a national conference will be re-convened for giving final touches to the document.

He affirmed that the policy must contain a mechanism of quality assurance at the delivery level. The government as well as the higher education commission will never compromise on the quality of education.

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While recognizing that the ODL system provides feasible salutation to the meet growing educational requirements, he said it must be strong enough to match the demand of the market and serve the interest of the society.

The degrees as well as certificates, earned through the distance learning should carry due weight, both quality and acceptance-wise, he said.