AIOU starts online PhD program

Islamabad, The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is effectively progressing with its online Computer Science PhD program according to the set academic outlines of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

“This will be the first-ever PhD program by the AIOU through e-learning, using advanced electronic technology,” Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nazir Ahmed Sangi said while addressing over the PhD course demonstration ceremony on Monday.

The program commenced last year and it has met the international criteria and the local needs. It was the best possible facility being delivered to the students on low cost and its monthly fee is around Rs 5,000, he added.

The PhD degree formally proposed in spring 2011 and aids the students to get research knowledge, techniques and skills required to reach the level of research maturity. The students conduct original research and start development projects for better training and education.

A candidate is eligible to apply for PhD Computer Science program that is having MS in the relevant field or equivalent level with minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or 70 percent marks.

The vice chancellor said the AIOU is honored to start a unique localized PhD program by using modern ICT technologies. Firstly, the program will be presented in the computer science discipline and will be open to the faculty members and professionals of all Pakistani universities.

The course work is offered through video conferencing or using OLIVE E-learning (Synchrono9us meeting over Internet). Distance lectures will be delivered by faculty members from Pakistani and foreign universities. The foreign faculty appointed to teach the PhD course includes Delaware State University, USA and a Bahraini university.