AIOU students get laptops under PM’s scheme

Islamabad: Government has awarded laptops to PhD, MPhil and MS students of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) under the Prime Minister’s youth scheme.

It was the third consecutive phase that University’s students were included in PM’s scheme. Laptops’ distribution ceremony was held here on Tuesday at the University’s main Camps that were presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, who reiterated his pledge to develop the University as a Centre of research-based activities.

As a first-step in the third phase, 227 students of Islamabad region were handed over the laptops by the Vice Chancellor. He appreciated the hard work of the students, stating that they desired it.. The University, he said received spectacular distinction among the country’s educational institutions in term of enrolment that reached to 1.3 million, among those 56 percent are females, mostly belonged to remote regions.

Dr. Shahid Siddiqui shared with the laptops’ recipients the University’s academic achievements in the recent years, particularly developing it as research-based institution. They have published twelve brand new journals and arranged twenty-one national and international conferences during last two and half years.

Special focus was also laid on professional development, students’ support system and revision of curriculum. Qualitative improvement was brought about in admission, examination and books’ mailing system.

He told them about community’s welfare projects undertaken in the recent years that included provision of free education to all categories of disabled, prisoners and drop-out students.

As an encouragement, special cash awards are given to the students of higher education for doing internationally compatible quality research work and producing commercially viable projects that helps the society to overcome its socio-economic problems.

He hoped that the laptops will help them to undertake innovative and applied research work to serve the society.  He thanked the Higher Education Commission for its support and giving necessary funding in doing the research work.

The ceremony was also addressed by Dean Social Science Dr. Samina Awan, Director Rawalpindi region Dr. Malik Tuqeer Ahmed and Director Students’ advisory services Rana Tariq Javed.

The excited students received the latest laptop machines with specifications enabling them to use it both as a computer and as well as a notepad. In addition, an internet device was also the part of the package.