ISLAMABAD: A magnificent event was held at the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Monday, marking the Independence Day. University’s officers, employees and their children, and a large number of students participated in the show.
Besides speeches, national songs were sung and a tableau was also presented on the occasion.
The tableau was offered by the renowned artist Faqir Hussain and his team.
AIOU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui announced on the occasion that the university will hold a series of events during the year to celebrate the country’s 70th anniversary.
These events will be a part of literary, social and cultural activities, being arranged by the university on a regular basis.
At the outset, the national flag was hoisted in the main premises by Department of Sciences Dean Prof Dr Naghmana Rashid, besides singing the national anthem.
Earlier, an organised guard of honour was also presented by the security workers, paying salute to the national flag.
Similar functions were also held at the 44 regional offices of the university, around the country.
The show at the main campus was arranged by the Pakistan Studies Department of AIOU.
The VC in his message pledged that the AIOU, as a mega university, would continue to play its role in promoting quality education that could help realize the objectives of the Pakistan movement.
“We feel proud to be Pakistanis. We are a peaceful and a loving nation,” he said. “Pakistan is our recognition and our identity that provides us respect and a free life, and it must be our top priority to serve the country using all possible means,” he added.
The VC urged the students to concentrate on acquiring knowledge and promoting positive thinking in their daily life, as well as taking an active part in the socio-economic development of the country.
Talking about the Pakistan Movement, the VC said that the young generation needed to follow the footprints of the leaders, and the workers of the movement, in letter and spirit, to realize the dreams of the country.
At the end, prizes were distributed to the students for showing excellent performance in the show.
Department of Social Sciences Dean Dr Samina Awan, and Dr Badshah Sardar, also spoke about the significance of the day.
AIOU Registrar Dr Muhammad Naeem Qureshi was also present on the occasion.
