ISLAMABAD, JAN 12 (DNA) – Senior American academicians along with officials of State department and US Embassy in Islamabad visited Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) here Tuesday and appreciated its academic work.

After having detailed discussion with the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui and taking round of various departments of the University, they termed the AIOU’s educational standard as highly impressive and students’ supportive. They particularly commended the community and research-based academic programs undertaken by Dr. Siddiqui and his team.

The visit took place under the ‘Pakistan Distance Education Enhancement’ project and collaborative partnership between AIOU and San Jose State University. The delegation included project’s director Prof. Mark Adams, Prof. Jason A. Laker, Dr. Muhammad Saleem, Ms. Natiqa Nadeem, Cultural Affairs specialist US embassy, Neal Morata, Deputy Cultural affairs officer and Richard Boyom from Washington D.C.

About project initiated three years back, they said it went through successfully and proved very effective in promoting capacity-building of academic staff and the students.

Prof. Mark Adams said they had very productive and lively talks with vice chancellor for carrying out their bilateral cooperation. They had incredible experience while with AIOU, he added.

Another member of delegation Prof. Jason said that the two Universities had great potential to learn from each other to meet their future targets in education sector. The two sides could particularly share their experience about new educational methods and E-learning/online study.

He said he was highly impressed by the creative and innovative ideas of the Vice Chancellor for expanding educational facilities for their people and serving the society through education. He said he found Dr. Shahid Siddiqui as most impressive educationist who had visionary approach in educational field, hoping that the University will emerge more powerful institution under his leadership.

The delegation also visited the Accessibility Centre set up at University’s Central Library for providing educational facilities to impaired students. “we are highly moved to see some special students working in the centre, our heart filled with joy,” said Prof. Mark Adams.=DNA