ISLAMABAD, (Pakistan Point News - 26th july, 2016) : Students of Wafaqul Madrass have welcomed the government's decision of facilitating them to get qualified their compulsory subjects from Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) for equivalence of their B.A. level degrees. The students' representatives during a meeting held here on Tuesday thanked the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui for his support in providing them cost-effective educational facilities to qualify the compulsory subjects including English, Pakistan Students and Islamiyat.
They visited the University along with other delegates of Pakistan US Alumni Network (PUAN) International Conference and lauded its learning system that mainly benefits the people from remote regions, particularly females. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui briefed them about the University's educational facilities being offered to religious institutions. The students could enroll themselves with AIOU for the study of compulsory subjects.
The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held here last week under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Education Muhammad Balighur Rehman in presence of representatives of Wafaq-ul- Madaris and Higher Education Commission. It was agreed that that every possible support including books and tutorial workshops will be provided by the AIOU to the enrolled students. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said the seminaries' students will be facilitated in the admission and examination process.
They will support the initiative being carried out by the government for Madaris reforms so as to bring them into mainstream. The fee structure for the students of Madaris will be normal as per AIOU's policy. The needy students will be provided financial assistance in shape of scholarships as well. Text books and tutorial support will be provided by the University. He hoped that thousands of students of Wafaq-ul-Madaris will take benefit of these arrangements.
The AIOU will be starting its new admission from August one, and these students could avail the opportunity to take the admission in their relevant programs. The delegates including from regional countries showed keen interest in the University's education system and noted that it had major contribution in enhancing literacy and coping with the educational needs of drop-out students. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui while welcoming the delegates said that the University was focusing on meaningful education and applied research that benefit the society and help to address the country's socio-economic problems.
They, he said feel excited that major chunk of their enrolled students are females, mostly from far-flung areas including those from tribal regions who otherwise could not join formal education due to social and financial constraints. A number of female students from tribal regions who were present on the occasion acknowledged the University's leading role in meeting their educational needs at their door-steps. He also highlighted the financial support being extended to IDPs' students, physically handicapped and those affected by natural disaster.
Scholarships amounting to around Rs. 12 million are being offered annually to the deserving students. The University, he added is also providing free education to marginalized section of the society, including prisoners and disabled persons. As a goodwill gesture towards visually impaired students, an `Accessibility Center' has been set up at the University's main Campus to facilitate them in their educational pursuits. Head of International collaboration exchange office Zahid Majeed briefed the delegates about academic programs being offered by the University to foreign students. Dr. Afshan Huma Alumni Puan hoped that their collaborative partnership will pave the way of enhancing educational facilities for deprived section of the society.
