STAFF REPORT ISB: Students of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) have emerged as major user of digital technology in the educational sector, getting access to their academic programmes, course material and other relevant information through Internet. Around 1.3 million students of the university mainly depend on the digital citizen network that connects them with their tutors and education sources.
This was observed during a panel discussion that has recently been held in Islamabad to evaluate a survey conducted on the trends of IT in Pakistan, by a team of researchers from University of Edinburgh, UK.
The discussion was arranged by the British Council to assess and promote digital citizenship in Pakistan.
PTC Chairman Dr Syed Ismail Shah presided over the discussion and spoke about the importance of IT and the growing Internet facilities.
AIOUs senior academician Zahid Majeed told the participants that the university has taken various initiatives to introduce massive open online courses that are taught through media-based information technology and automation system.
Various services related to students and the universitys employees have been improved by smart use of technology. The Internet also works as major source for promoting innovative applied research on society-related socio-economic issues. The participants were told that AIOUs 44 regional campuses have been equipped with digital facilities. The university is focusing on e-learning for imparting higher education, including M.Phil and PhD.