AIOU to give prizes to researchers

Islamabad: The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will give cash prizes to best researchers, besides other incentives, for undertaking applied research that helps in addressing socio-economic problems of the country as well as improving quality of life.
A package of incentives has been finalised to encourage its academicians to focus on research-based activities that benefits the society; this was stated by the vice chancellor Professor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui while addressing a three-day training workshop on ‘Research methodology’ held here. The workshop was arranged by AIOU’s Department of Physics.
The cash awards will be given for writing worthwhile books and research articles.
The University will also bear travelling and lodging expenses of its teaching staff for attending seminars and conference home and abroad. The research-package is aimed at gearing up development at various levels through new inventions and to enhance academicians’ role in policy-making.
He underlined the need of strengthening linkage between research institutions and those who are responsible for implementation. Research is phenomena that do not occur in isolation, it must be linked with the society. Dr. Siddiqui said that the Universities should be known for their research work.
They must play pro-active role in constructing and creating knowledge, through research compatible to international standard. Inculcating critical thinking among students is imperative for bringing them in the mainstream of education.
Research should give answer to the questions, faced by policy-makers and other stake holders in the nation-building task, he added.
The vice chancellor announced that the AIOU will soon start BSc program with physics, biology, chemistry or mathematic as a major subject. He lauded the achievements of the Physic department which has so far produced 250 M.Phil and 5 PhD scholars.