Admissions of continuing students at AIOU rises to 460,000

Islamabad
Admissions of continuing students in Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) have risen to 4,60,000 reflecting their trust in this mega university for completion of their education, through distance learning system.
There have been a record number of admissions in the spring semester, 2015, particularly on the post-graduate level. The increase of admissions of continuing students is more than three per cent as compared to last year. Total retention rate of the students this time is 88 per cent, as compared to 83 per cent last year.
Whereas overall increase at the MSc and postgraduate level was 18 per cent. To promote better communication with the continuing students, the university has initiated SMS service to keep them informed about the admission process.
AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said we took a number of steps in recent months to improve its admission, examination and mailing system to facilitate the students to continue their future study. Special attention was paid to upgrading students’ support system and attending their queries and complaints through a well-managed Complaint Centre. A students’ friendly environment is being promoted at all its campuses.
Efforts are made to bring about qualitative improvement in overall academic and administrative system. Priority has been given to develop knowledge, skill and attitude in educational pursuits. Research-based extra-curricular activities were being encouraged to meet the educational challenges and enable the students to effectively take part in socio-economic development of the country.
Focus has also been laid on the capacity-building of staff, so that they could provide best services to the students.
AIOU is scheduled to launch new admissions (Autumn 2015) from next month both for continuing and fresh students, with some new programs at higher education level. Admission process is being simplified through automation-software to ensure instant admissions of the students as soon they deposit their admission forms and fee in the designated banks.