AIOU converts its marks’ grading system into GPA/CGPA

Islamabad

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will soon convert its academic results’ marking system into grade point average (GPA) and cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in order to facilitate its students in pursuing their future education career.

A proposed to this effect was formally adopted at joint meeting of Research and Educational technology, Academic Planning and development and the Academic Council held here.

It was agreed that GPA/CGPA formula of HEC will be applied for all MS, MSc Honors, MPhil and PhD programmes where pass percentage is 50 per cent. This will be in addition to the GPA/CGPA system already approved by the University’s Executive Council for all four years bachelor programmes.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said the university wanted to adopt a uniform system in results’ marking process so that its students could compete with the students of other universities at national and international level for the purpose of admission to higher classes and employment against various posts. The proposed grading system is according to the criteria, set by the HEC and being practiced by some leading Universties, he added.  

It was also decided that the University will introduce number of new academic courses of M.Phil and Ph.D-level in a gradual process to meet the county’s socio-economic needs,   Some courses of specific nature were also approved by the committee relating to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The courses deal with international trade, logistics, entrepreneurship, Insurance and E-commerce.    

Dr. Shahid Siddiqui who presided over the meeting said the AIOU being the Mega University in public sector wanted to give positive respond to CPEC through its academic pursuits. About the other courses, he said it aimed at serving the national cause and to bring about qualitative improvement in their educational programs.

The meeting recommended schemes of studies and outline of courses that would be finally approved later by the University’s Executive Council, keeping in view the policy and rules of the Higher Education Commission.  

The committee also gave approval for the revision of some existing courses. It approved the University’s plan setting up three new departments relating to Psychology, politics and international relations and Translation of study material.  

The new academic programs related to teachers’ education, Arabic and Islamic studies, Gender and Women Studies, Library and Information Sciences, Commerce and Business and Administration, Chemistry and Biology and Mass Communication.