ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Commonwealth of Learning (COL) will work with Allama Iqbal Open University for preparing national policy on Open Distance Learning (ODL) and promoting online education.
This was stated by President COL Prof Asha Kanwar while talking with the University’s delegation during 29th Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), held in Kuala Lumpur this week.
According to a message received here Friday, she assured that she will soon visit AIOU to promote their bilateral cooperation. She appreciated the concerted efforts by the University’s Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui for upgrading the AIOU’s academic ranking, through quality education.
The University’s Representative Dr Zahid Majeed also attended AAOU’s Executive Board and General Body meetings and assured them support on behalf of Dr Shahid Saddiqui for achieving their academic goals.
AIOU is the founding member of this higher body that has more than 60 Open Universities of Asia in its net.
Both sides agreed that they will also work together promoting of Open Education (OER) and Massive online open courses (MOOCs). Pakistan’s representative extended his willingness to be the part of Asia MOOCs steering Committee as well as other working groups in different fields.
The Pakistan’s delegate also had sideline meeting with Vice Chancellor, Terbuka University, Indonesia and the two sides agreed to work together for the development of Quality Assurance Framework for AIOU.
He also visited University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur and shared with its academic department the AIOU’s initiatives of promoting special education and setting up an accessibility centre for impaired students at its Central library.
During the conference, Prof Yochi Okabe, Vice Chancellor Open University of Japan and Prof Lee Vice Chancellor Korea National Open University showed their keen interest to work with AIOU in strengthening ODL system.
Source: APP
