AIOU develops academic designs to promote outdoor physical activities for schoolgirls

Islamabad
The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has developed academic designs through a research study in order to expand outdoor open spaces in Rawalpindi and Islamabad for physical activities of adolescent schoolgirls.
The study was conducted in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute for Environment-Development Action Research (PIEDAR) and Pakistan Strategy Support Programme of the Planning Commission, funded by the USAID. The research findings were presented at a seminar held at the AIOU main campus which was presided over by AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui.
The proposed design suggests ways and means to improve safety, security, accessibility, comfort and provision of the facilities in specific parks and playgrounds of schools and colleges in the twin cities. Department of Home and Health Sciences Chairperson Professor Dr. Nomana Anjum, while giving a detailed presentation on the research-based study, said that they have consulted the local town planners, education and health specialists for practical and cost-effective measures to improve the access of adolescent girls to outdoor physical activities which are must for their healthy growth.
The researchers also introduced gender-sensitivity training courses for boys and girls which could be conducted in schools and colleges in collaboration with civil society organisations.
Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said the university was encouraging and motivating academicians to focus on linking their research-study with overall development of society. “We must find out solutions to socio-economic problems, particularly those of local nature, through scientific research study,” he asserted.
He emphasised that educational institutions and the local governments should fulfil their responsibilities of providing reasonable open spaces in their surrounding areas for physical activities of girls and boys. “We must take care of gender equality in all spheres of life while doing future planning”, he added. He hoped that the local governments will revisit their urban development plans for availability of proper open spaces for female students. He announced that a health club will soon be set up at the AIOU main campus for physical exercise and recreation of their employees.
The seminar was also addressed by Dr. Sohail Malik, representative of Strategic Support Programme, who highlighted the benefits of the outdoor spaces for adolescent girls, hoping that the research findings will help achieve stipulated targets establishing safe and secure outdoor open spaces for the youth. Syed Ayub Qutub, principal investigator of the research study, was present on the occasion.