Islamabad: Millions of currently enrolled and passed-out students of Allama iqbal Open University (AIOU) will be encouraged to work as volunteers to help the affected people in the wake of national calamity, says a press release. This was stated by the AUIO Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui in his message on the occasion of international Volunteer Day, celebrated worldwide on December 5. The AIOU has the distinction of being the country’s largest Educational institution in term of its enrolment, with annual strength of 1.3 million. It has also country-wide infrastructure network, with 44 regional offices and thousands coordination units and study centers. “We wish the talents and strength of our students should be utilised to serve the ailing humanity, “he said adding this is the spirit and demand of the education to address the socio-economic challenges of the society, through all possibility means. The Day is meant to highlight the valuable services of volunteers, their contribution for social and economic development. In Islam, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said there is a strong ethic of volunteerism. Islam also greatly values the voluntary work done for fellow human beings and promises many rewards for such people. Pakistan has a strong tradition of volunteering, as evidenced by its large voluntary part in October 2005 earthquake and the recent disaster of floods in 2010. The AIOU works with Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to develop a strong volunteer force for participating in the humanitarian work. Both sides had already signed a MoU to use the services of the University’s academic work force for relieving the sufferings of the people at the time of natural disaster. In its academic research, the AIOU has adopted pro-public service approach. It has consolidated free educational facilities for prisoners, disabled, drop-out girls and transgender group. It has also established accessibility centers at the main campus and the regional offices for the visually impaired persons as well as cooperating along with the NAB in its campaign against corruption on volunteer basis.
