Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Kicks Off Staff Capacity Building Programmes

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Thursday started a number of programs for the capacity-building of its academic staff inculcating their skills for providing best services to its 1.3 million students across the country.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2018 ) :Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Thursday started a number of programs for the capacity-building of its academic staff inculcating their skills for providing best services to its 1.3 million students across the country.

Since, the incumbent Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui took over his responsibilities about three and half years back, he laid special focus on professional development of the Faculty and the members of the services departments.

The training workshops were arranged at the main Campus and regional offices-level and it has been made a regular feature. During the training courses the staff was equipped with the new technology, said a news release.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the training session, VC AIOU, Dr. Shahid said development of the soft-ware was his main focus in the overall development of the University. He said, "I believed that without human-resource development, the target of quality education could not be achieved".

The 44-regional offices was provided 'state-of-the-art' technology, computers and other soft ware equipment that they could enhance their academic output in admission, examination and delivery process.

In order to encourage the staff, they were given promotion in their next grades, as were admissible to them under the rules. The matters relating to shortage of staff were also addressed on priority basis.

Selection board and Departmental Promotion Committee met seven and eight times respectively in the recent years. The University's statute was also revised as a special case for this purpose. As a part of professional development plan, the University will hold a three-day professional development training program by end of this month for its new faculty members.

During the three-day program, the new faculty members will be given orientation on the new trends in the distance education, use of innovative technology, new research methodology, E-learning and Online education.

Eminent educationists and experts in the relevant fields will be invited to conduct the course as resource persons. The training will contribute to the professional excellence of the faculty. This will also help in increasing research productivity of the University's faculty and develop the AIOU as a research-based educational institution. The training will be arranged by the Department of Distance, Non-formal and Continuing Education.