AIOU students emerge as major users of digital technology

Islamabad

Students of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) have emerged as major users of digital technology in the educational sector, getting access to their academic programmes, course material and other relevant information through internet.

Around 1.3 million students of the university mainly depend on digital citizen network that connects them with their tutors and education’s sources.  Educational accessibility immensely increased in the recent years due to digital technology that makes the online learning more popular and now the source of knowledge is available at the peoples’ door-step in every nock and corner of the country, this was observed during a panel discussion that was held in Islamabad to evaluate a survey conducted on the trends of information technology in Pakistan, by a team of researchers from University of Edinburgh, UK.

The discussion was arranged by the British Council Islamabad to assess and promote digital citizenship in Pakistan. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Chairman Dr. Syed Ismail Shah presided over the discussion session and spoke about the importance of information technology and the growing internet facilities in Pakistan.

AIOU’s senior academician, Zahid Majeed, told the participants that the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui has taken various initiatives in the recent year to introduce massive open online courses that are taught through media-based information technology and automation system. Most of the information about the admission, examination and issuance of degree was being provided to the students through internet or cell text messages.

Various services related to students and the university’s employees have been improved by smart use of technology.  The internet also works as major source for promoting innovative applied research on society-related socio-economic issues.  

Dr. Siddiqui, he said attached high priority to online education and automation of delivery system. The course material is being provided to the students through CDs.

The participants were told that AIOU’s 44 regional Campuses have been equipped with digital facilities. The university was focusing on E-learning for imparting higher education, including MPhil and PhD.

A lecture series has also been started for capacity-building and professional development of the staff ensuing efficient use of latest technology to meet the new challenges in the educational sector.