ISLAMABAD, NOV 4 (DNA) – Federal minister for Education and Professional Training, Mr. Shafqat Mehmood, inaugurated the newly constructed Science Block of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) today (Wednesday).

During his media talk on this occasion and later on while addressing the senior faculty and administrative staff of the university, he highly admired and commended the role of AIOU in the field of mass education and termed it as a role model for other national educational institutions.

He appreciated Vice Chancellor AIOU, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum for his dynamic leadership. He said that during Prof. Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum tenure, AIOU has become more innovative and has made effective use of the latest information and communication technology in education.

He said that Pakistani universities need to focus more on promotion of research culture in the country.

Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum briefed the minister about the automation and digitalization process of the university.

He informed the minister that presently 1.4 million students are enrolled in AIOU while the university has graduated 36 lac students so far.

He further said that out of a total 1.9 million students enrolled in higher education in all universities of the country, AIOU is catering the higher educational needs of around six lac students.=DNA

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