AIOU Extends Its Education Programmes Abroad

ISLAMABAD, Nov 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 07th Nov, 2016 ) : Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has taken a number of initiatives expanding its educational programmes abroad, through E-learning and massive open online courses.

Some of the initiatives already materialized and other are under process, said Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui while presiding over a briefing session on E-learning, says a news release on Monday.

The initiatives materialized include development of responsive website and special portal for overseas students in both urdu and English languages containing all essential information for their online educational support and establishment of customized Learning Management System (LMS).

The new initiatives, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said provides a comprehensive learning mode that enables the overseas Pakistanis to enhance their academic profile, taking advantage of the new technology.

The AIOU, being the mega educational institution in the public sector is fulfilling its national duty meeting the educational requirements of the Pakistanis living abroad, he added. The University's Directorate of Overseas Educational Programs and e-Learning has established Virtual Class Environment with features of text chat, audio-visual chat, multi-format presentation and desktop sharing, new layout manger, multiple document formats for presentation in online lectures as well as Audio/Video chat, screen readers for special students and a better audio configuration setup.

There are other initiatives as well that have already been implemented, said Majid Rashid, head of the Directorate while giving the briefing. Development of AIOU Multimedia Courses Repository (AMCR) consisting of 670 courses and more than 100 thesis.

The Directorate has launched COL MBA/MPA Program, Associate Degree in Commerce, Associate Degree in Education, Basic French Certificate, Dars-e- Nizami Program in USA and postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

The initiatives that are in progress include fee Collection from the Overseas Students through plastic money (Master/Visa/Other debit or credit cards), conduct of Examinations for Overseas Students collaboration with the Federal board of Intermediate and Secondary education and evaluation of the assignments of overseas students at this Directorate and appointment of Honorary Overseas Coordinators and tutors.

The Directorate has completed all the necessary arrangements to provide e-learning support for M Phil/PhD programs in ongoing semester Spring 2016. The Vice Chancellor hoped that that the overseas Pakistanis will take advantage of the new initiatives that provide them flexible and affordable opportunities to carry on their educational pursuits.