Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has achieved singular distinction, winning highest number of research projects of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) during the last two years.
There were eighteen projects, for which the HEC provided necessary grant. Besides this, there were sixty-nine accredited research articles produced by the University’s Faculty members, this was stated by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui while addressing the incentive awards and research grant’s distribution ceremony held here on Thursday.
The ceremony was arranged on the occasion of the General Body’s meeting of Academic Staff Association (ASA). The University set a new record, by publishing sixteen research journals within a period of three years. The AIOU is only University in the country that achieved this unusual distinction, the VC added.
“We are the leading one in promoting research culture in the country, “he said adding the University held twenty-eight national and international conferences during the period for disseminating and sharing the research’s findings.
Dr. Shahid Siddiqui while responding to demands presented by the ASA’s President Dr. Fazalur Rehman, he announced acceptance all of them, hoping this will help improve the University’s working environment and academic standard.
The University’s academic achievements, he said were the result of the hectic research-based activities that persuaded during last three years. He also announced that the University will provide necessary funding at its own, for the mini-research projects, to be developed by its Faculty.
The main focus of the all research-based activities was on addressing the socio-economic issues of the society, besides promoting quality education through non-formal mode of learning.
The University has also submitted a number of research proposals to HEC for the next year under National Research Program for the universities. This helps the AIOU to improve its academic ranking as well .
Dr. Shahid Siddiqui also briefed the ASA about the academic targets achieved during the recent years, that include revision of text books, designing and offering of 26 new brand academic programs and series of Human Resource’s development activities.
Earlier, the ASA’s office-bearers thanked the Vc for his support and motivation in making the academic work more strong and effective.
