Govt to support joint venture of AIOU & AAOU to promote distance education

Islamabad, The government has decided to support the program of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) for the enhancement of skills and standardized education over distant education. It was disclosed by Minister of State for Education Baleeghur Rehman on the inauguration of 27th annual conference of AAOU at the main campus of AIOU.
 
Around 200 representatives of national and international organizations attended the two-day moot and award was presented to Dr Wang Tat Meng of Wawasan Open University, Penang, Malaysia. The distinction was given because of his admirable services to promote and develop the distance learning education system. Throughout career he has made many distinctions. He was invited to initiate the program of AAOU with the support of AIOU and the Higher Education Commission. On this occasion he suggested the setting up of research center of excellence at AIOU to bring standardized technological education.

AIOU has a vast network of regional centers across the country which is providing educational services in Pakistan in the Middle East. AIOU is a Distance Education institution which is offering multi-disciplinary education from basic to doctoral level programs.

The university has established 36 regional campuses and centers across the country to manage and facilitate efficient system of education of the university. The qualified teachers and experts of several fields of study in their area and the university hire them as part-time tutors. Each group of students is assigned to a tutor for guidance.

AIOU already has 36 to 40 campuses all over the country, the number of these campuses will be increased to 39 within this year, the VC added. He appreciated the gesture of some public representatives and well-to-do people who had offered land to the university free of cost for building new campuses and study centers in various regions.