Allama Iqbal Open University An Educational Miracle
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto brought the idea of open university from United Kingdom in 1972 and after two years Allama Iqbal open university was established in 1974. It was first open university and Asia and second in the world. Every year about 1.5 million students take admission in Allama Iqbal Open University. Majority of students are female and belongs to most backward areas of Pakistan like Southern Punjab, KPK, interior Sindh and Baluchistan.
Large number of students have learned Arabic language from university and now the are working in Middle East countries and sending huge foreign exchange to the country. Dr Ghulam Ali Allana became the Vice Chancellor of AIOU in 1983 and he brought revolutionary changes in university. During his tenure lot of regional campuses of AIOU were established. New pots were bought in different cities to build university’s own buildings. His emphasis was on female education and now more than 58 percent students of AIOU are females.
AIOU A Unique Success Stroy
Dr Anwar Saddiqui remained the Vice Chancellor of university from 1997 to 2001. During his tenure departments of Computer Science, Business Administration, Commerce and Economics were established.During the era of Altaf Hussain many new departments of science subjects were established like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Microbiology. Now university is number programs of science subjects from FSc to Master level.
It was expected that Virtual University will affect a lot to Allam Iqbal Open University but AIOU is flourishing more in the competitive environment. Current Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University Dr Nazir Ahmad Sangii introduced the a new program of equal access to quality education. It is a unique idea of its type. Now university has also introduced the earn to learn concept. 200 million rupees have been reserved for this program. Students are offered paid internship through this program and lot of deserving students are taking benefit through this program.
Lot of people are helping AIOU and providing free land for establishing campuses in various remote areas. In recent past about 25 people denoted land to AIOU.This shows the popularity of AIOU in masses. Allama Iqbal open University has also launched a adopt a student program through which you can sponsor any student. Sponsorship money is very minute so all of us should come forward and sponsor at least one student in a year. Internet usage has been increased in rural areas due to AIOU. AIOU has brought positive changes in the lives of million of Pakistani people. Even large number of overseas are enrolled in different program of AIOU.
Allam Iqbal Open University is the real bright face of Pakistan which is striving to promote education at grass root level. AIOU also offers lot of distance learning useful short courses for improving different skills. Pakistani are Fee structure of AIOU is more than reasonable. Matric and inter fee is less than 1000 rupees which includes every thing. Due to devotion and commitment of AIOU staff university has become the most successful educational institute in Pakistan. In fact it is an educational miracle. Being the student of AIOU it was my duty to pay tribute to this great institute. I personally feel that AIOU has given me a great confidence and academic skills. Thanks Allama Iqbal Open University.
