Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has allocated Rs. 80 million for upgrading its newly constructed department ‘Centre for Instructional Design (CID)’ to facilitate its students learning through state-of-the-art designing system.
“This centre will serve as model to educate the students through electronic and advanced communication system,” AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Nazir Ahmed Sangi said while addressing a farewell party hosted by academicians and all the staff members of the CID in the honour of Prof Dr Javed Iqbal, dean, Faculty of Education, on his retirement.
He also announced that the AIOU will spend Rs. 90 million, donated by a foreign country for training of its academic staff that will give a big boost to capacity building for educating their students. Dr Nazir Sangi said that value-added and job-oriented education is the main focus of the University. All the relevant departments of the AIOU are being equipped with the latest equipments and computer software so that they could effectively address the problems being faced by the students in enhancing their knowledge and professional skill in various disciplines, he added.
Dr Sangi said that 300 model study centres would be established in remote parts of the country, which would be fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Sangi said the University was laying special focus on the education of the students living in the far-flung areas and belong to deprived section of the society.
He said the teachers’ role had become more productive due to the recently introduced e-learning and video-conferencing system through which they were reaching the doorsteps of the students.
Dr Sangi said the quality and services of AIOU had been recognised not only domestically but also at international level. The AIOU has signed different MoUs with national and international universities for improving the standard of education.
He praised the efforts of Dr Javed Iqbal in establishing the Centre for Instructional Design that was helping the students to learn through electronic and email system in addition to written material.
In his address, Dr Javed Iqbal, ex-Director CID, enlightened the aims and objectives of establishment of the CID and highlighted the achievements obtained in a short span of time.
The Academic Staff Association general secretary also spoke on the occasion and eulogised the patronage and services rendered by the vice chancellor in development the centre on most modern lines.
