ISLAMABAD: In a bid to provide financial support, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) allocated fund for underprivileged students worth Rs 170 million in the annual budget in the form of fee-waivers and scholarships.
AIOU Vice Chancellor Dr Shahid Siddiqui said the annual budgetary allocation for needy students has almost been doubled in order to end financial constraints for those who plan future study. “We are fulfilling our social responsibility to take care of marginalised sections of the society,” he added.
The varsity announced free education for the students in matriculation from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan, as part of its recent initiatives to ensure availability of educational facilities for all segments of the society.
It has announced to provide special merit scholarships for the enrolled students with 75 per cent and above marks.
Director Students’ advisory affairs Rana Tariq Javed said that the deserving students can contact the university official to apply for the fee concession.
Different scholarship schemes being offered at AIOU include earn-to-learn scheme, outreach scholarship scheme, final year project grant scheme, scholarship for communities, scholarship for women, fee installment scheme and alumni-sponsored scholarship.
The candidates are required to download application form given on the university’s website and send it to the relevant department.