AIOU enhances collaboration with world’s top ranking universities

Islamabad : Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has stepped up its efforts, enhancing its academic collaboration with world top’s universities.

The proposed plan of mutual collaboration include launching joint degree programs, students and faculties’ exchanges, joint research activities and sharing of expertise and skills in promoting quality education.

In this connection, the University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum is currently on a visit to Belarus and Kyrgyzstan to explore the possibility of joint collaboration that could benefit their students in upgrading their academic standard and help them to meet contemporary market-based needs in their respective disciplines.

Earlier, Dr. Zia has visited United Kingdom to work out university’s collaboration with Open University of UK, and University of London for launching joint degree programs in the areas of mutual interest.

During the visit to Belarus, the vice chancellor is scheduled to participate in VIII International Forum of Innovations, Investments and Perspectives’, scheduled to be held from May 15-18.

On the sideline of the Forum, there will be signing of MoU between AIOU and Vitebsk State University. AIOU will provide technical and professional support for the capacity-building of staff and academia through online programmes.

Also both universities will exchange the staff, academia and students for study, training and research activities.

Prof. Zia will also have a separate meeting with governor of Vitebsk region to discuss ways and means to develop their collaboration in education, especially in E-learning/online learning, joint research activities, exchange of professionals, training and students exchange programmes. He will also explore the possibility of mutual collaboration with other universities and organisations especially in socio-economic field.

Dr. Zahid Majeed, director International Collaboration and Exchange Office who is accompanying the VC will deliver lectures at the forum.

Following the Belarus’s visit, the VC will visit Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for the follow-up of their past bilateral cooperation. The AIOU has recently established Pak-Kyrgyz Institute of Open and Distance learning in International University of Kyrgyzstan.

The institute was established on the approval of federal cabinet under official protocol arrangements. The university’s executive council has also allowed special tuition fee’s concession to the students of the Kyrgyz University.

It is the part of the AIOU’s overall efforts to establish its mutual collaboration with Central Asian States, in line with its regular online academic exchange programs with educational institutions of Middle East and USA.