ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has introduced electronic version of course books and allied academic material initially to be available at its Central Library.
AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, in a meeting with senior academicians here Friday, said that this arrangement would be further expanded from the next year and the students would be able to access the electronic version by using allotted password from anywhere in the country.
Overseas students would also be the beneficiary of the facility, he added.
He said the hard copies of course material were also being dispatched to the students on regular basis for each semester.
Initially, the soft copies (electronic version) will be available at the Central Library, main campus and later at the University’s regional offices as well.
It is part of University’s multimedia course repository plan that aimed at facilitating the students to get electronic version of their respective course through computer network.
In the first phase, the soft copy of course material will be provided in limited programs that include Matric, intermediate, bachelor and selected master degree programs.
As per the decision, besides course material of these programmes, the users will also access allied multimedia material in audio and video form.
Visually impaired students will also be able to listen to the contents of the course material by selecting the relevant text.
Dr. Shahid Siddiqui said the University is gradually moving towards e-learning or online education to take benefit of the new technology and meet new challenges in the education sector.
AIOU while pursuing distance learning system, wish to provide multimedia support to its students at their door-step.
Vice Chancellor AIOU said that it is being planned to launch online M.Phil and PhD programs soon.
Source: APP