Allama Iqbal Open University has announced that it has decided to provide free and quality education to particular sections of society. The sections include prisoners, visually impaired people, dropped-out girls and transgender community.
The decision was taken for the sole purpose of providing these people with a platform to pursue their education easily and remove hindrances from their paths towards success.
The Vice Chancellor AIOU, Professor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, expects that the students belonging to these categories will make use of this opportunity and will enroll themselves from upcoming academic year. The last date to apply is Oct 10 with a nominal late-fee.
Moreover, the University also offers scholarships and fee-waiver to the students facing financial problems. It has also launched a program with the purpose to provide free education to the transgender community all over the country.
Dr. Shahid hoped that these facilities will enhance the living standards of transgender community. He said,
This program has been designed to improve the confidence of transgenders and help them live with dignity as responsible citizens of society. We have received a positive response from the community and have already started receiving applications for the program.
Previous Efforts
Previously, the university has been providing matriculation to PhD level education free of cost to disabled people and prisoners. The students are also allowed to make use of computerized facilities which assists in enhancing their learning skills.
Furthermore, for the convenience of the students, about 44 regional offices of  the university operate across the country.
A few programs have been launched in Chakwal, Nankana Sahib, Kharian and Thatta to facilitate drop-out girls in rejoining schools.
The Allama Iqbal Open University is the only institute in the country which is currently focusing on these issues and making it easier for these communities to acquire quality education.
Via Samaa
