ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Shahid Siddiqui said on Tuesday that all steps were being taken to ensure efficiency in administrative affairs of the University.
He stated this while addressing the concluding session of a two-day training workshop here on Tuesday. Heads and senior staff members of 44 regional offices of AIOU attended the capacity-building workshop aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in administrative and financial affairs.
Speaking at the occasion, the VC stated that AIOU has laid special focus on its staff’s professional development through training over the past three years. Through these capacity-building activities, the staff is equipped with updated knowledge and technical know-how of their relevant fields.
Professor Dr Shahid Siddiqui emphasised that the university’s administrative and academic staff must adopt a friendly behaviour towards students while carrying out their official duties. A positive and cooperative attitude is imperative for achieving fruitful results in educational pursuits, he added.
The VC further said that all available financial, technical and human resources were being utilized for providing quality education at students’ doorsteps. All possible efforts are also being made for consolidating students’ support and complaint management system, he added.
During the workshop, the participants were given in-depth training about administrative and financial matters. They were also taught techniques useful for management, finance and information.
Dr Siddiqui said that a number of steps have been taken during the last three years to upgrade regional offices. These included setting up accessibility centres for visually impaired students, strengthening of the library network and installation of security cameras in office compounds.
Dr Siddiqui also urged the staff members to keep their offices open so as to attend to students’ proposals and complaints. They should meet the students’ academic needs on a fast-track basis, he said.
The workshop was also addressed by Regional Services Director Dr Mian Arif Saleem Arif who thanked the VC for his support and encouragement in further strengthening the regional offices.
The university’s registrar Dr Muhammad Naeem Qureshi was also present on the occasion.
